BULOG Ensures Quality and Quantity of National Rice Reserves for Public
State-owned food logistics agency Perum BULOG has strongly reaffirmed that the government’s substantial rice reserves, which currently total 3.9 million tons nationwide, are being meticulously maintained to ensure the consistent availability of this staple food for all Indonesians.
BULOG President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani confirmed that all rice earmarked for distribution under government initiatives, including the vital Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program and various food assistance schemes, undergoes rigorous quantity and quality checks before it is repackaged and sent out.
Rizal emphasized the agency’s unwavering commitment to consumer welfare, stating, “BULOG is committed to ensuring that rice reaching the public is always in good condition and safe to consume,” in a statement released on Thursday in Jakarta.
To consistently uphold the highest standards of food safety, BULOG routinely conducts quality tests at nationally accredited laboratories.
The most recent round of tests, performed in August 2025 by trusted third-party institutions PT Saraswanti Indo Genetech and PT Sucofindo, unequivocally confirmed that the rice currently stored in BULOG warehouses meets all established quality standards.
Rizal stressed the central role of the agency in maintaining national food supply and price stability, highlighting its continuous commitment to keeping the vast rice stocks in optimal condition.
He added that this dedicated effort “helps preserve public confidence in the availability, affordability, and quality of national food,” reinforcing the agency’s importance to the nation’s economic and social stability.
Rigorous Quality Control and Stock Management
The management of the 3.9 million tons of rice involves a highly systematic approach to sourcing, storage, and quality maintenance, with Perum BULOG employing advanced techniques to minimize reprocessing needs and ensure stock integrity.
Mokhamad Suyamto, BULOG’s Director of Operations and Public Services, provided a detailed breakdown of the current stock.
He noted that of the 3.9 million tons of rice being managed, a significant 75 percent was sourced domestically, directly supporting local farmers and the agricultural sector.
The remaining portion was acquired from government-assigned imports finalized at the end of 2024 to supplement national reserves.
Suyamto assured the public that the entire stock is subject to stringent maintenance protocols to ensure it meets all quality standards.
He pointed out that less than 0.1 percent of the total volume currently requires reprocessing to restore its quality and ensure its suitability for distribution.
“Reprocessing is done to restore rice quality. The volume is minimal—under 0.1 percent of our current stock,” Suyamto said, underscoring the effectiveness of their storage methods.
To uphold this impressive quality retention, BULOG strictly enforces robust warehouse management procedures and utilizes an Integrated Pest Management System.
This system includes routine prophylactic spraying, necessary fumigation when required, and vigilant daily monitoring of all storage conditions.
Commitment to Food Safety and Public Confidence
The comprehensive system of quality checks, pest management, and external laboratory testing undertaken by BULOG demonstrates a high level of commitment to food safety, which is paramount for maintaining consumer trust in the national supply.
In addition to the physical maintenance of the grain, the agency places a heavy reliance on scientific validation to ensure the rice remains safe for consumption throughout its storage period.
Suyamto reiterated this crucial step, saying, “Laboratory tests are also conducted to ensure the rice remains safe for consumption.”
These ongoing efforts reflect BULOG’s dedicated commitment to not only maintaining a sufficient volume of rice but also ensuring the highest possible hygienic, high-quality standards for the national food reserves.
This multi-layered approach—combining sophisticated pest control (like fumigation) with independent laboratory testing— is necessary for managing such vast quantities of perishable staple foods over extended periods.
Ultimately, the commitment of BULOG to transparency, by reporting on stock origins and quality checks, plays a vital role in maintaining public confidence.
Assurance of food availability and quality is critical for price stability, as any public doubt could lead to panic buying, which would immediately destabilize the market for this essential commodity.
