Jakarta Acting Governor, Heru Budi Hartono appreciates and welcomes the Agriculture Ministry for supporting food availability in Jakarta in welcoming the month of Ramadan and Idul Fitri.

Thank you for backing up regarding food availability before Ramadan and entering Idul Fitri

The statement was made when receiving the yields of shallots, chili peppers, and curly chilies from the Agriculture Ministry at the Kramat Jati Main Market, East Jakarta, Monday (3/6).

"Thank you for backing up regarding food availability before Ramadan and entering Idul Fitri, as well as to the Food Task Force who continues to control the field," he expressed.

According to him, the ministry sent a harvest of chili peppers, curly chilies, and shallots with 125 tons to the market. They came from Central Java and West Java transported using 25 trucks.

"Central Java from Magelang and Temanggung, West Java from Garut and Sumedang as many as 25 trucks equivalent to 125 tons to the market. Hopefully, everything will be under control, the vendor stated that it was stable and we are preparing the existing stock for other commodities," he explained.

Agriculture Minister, Syahrul Yasin Limpo assessed that the balance sheet and data on food availability and needs for Ramadan and Idul Fitri were quite good. According to President's Instructions, it should rely on data and actualize availability in as much detail as possible.

"Mr. Heru did the same thing every time he chats via Whatsapp. Today is the second time we proved it, the rice is prepared and now the chilies and onions are in. I think this is the part that the President expects us to work together. We'll prove the meat one week before Ramadan," he explained.

He explained the agricultural sector is very dependent on the weather or climate. Even so, the ministry has taken technological approaches and various steps to ensure the availability of strategic food that can meet people's needs.

He added weather changes are very dynamic and fluctuating, so it needs speed in handling it, thus it is not only fulfilled in quantity but the quality of the crops is ensured to be competitive.

"In the rainy season, what kind of chili is the onion, there is a classification. But I guarantee the quality, especially when we have anticipated high rainfall. The ministry must ensure availability, about prices the Regional Government has a duty, and vendors do too. Price dynamics ahead of Ramadan and Idul Fitri are there. But we agree in a normative way, Mr. Governor, all that's left is my order is ready to carry it out," he finished.