Social Affairs Minister: IDR28.116 Billion Basic Food Program to Improve the Welfare of Takalar Residents

TAKALAR (February 12, 2020) - Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara paid a working visit to Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, to witness the launch of the 2020 Basic Food Program, yesterday. In 2020, the Basic Food Program for Takalar Regency was distributed to 15,620 Beneficiary Families (KPM) with a total value of IDR28.116 billion.

The Basic Food Program is a transformation of Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT). In his statement, Minister Juliari expressed his determination to ensure that the social assistance of the Basic Food Program and the Family Hope Program continue to contribute to poverty reduction.

Citing the survey results of Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the Minister said that the Basic Food Program played an effective role in reducing the poverty rate. "Therefore, with the Basic Food Program, it is expected that the poverty rate will continue to decline. The government's target is below 9% in 2020," said Juliari in Jakarta, Thursday (13/02/2020).

In the groceries Program, the assistance index is increased from IDR110,000 / Beneficiary Family (KPM) to IDR150,000. Then food ingredients are added, in addition to rice and eggs, chicken meat, fish, and vegetables (especially beans) are also added.

"So because there is something new, this is why it needs to be informed. If the assistance index goes from IDR110,000 to IDR150,000, it means there is an increase of IDR40,000. This is what is referenced for the groceries Program," said Juliari.

According to Juliari, the launch of the groceries Program cannot be separated from the government's efforts to improve the quality of community nutrition, especially to reduce the stunting rate which is still high in Indonesia. "So that the Ministry of Social Affairs is seen to be able to contribute to the stunting handling program," said Juliari.

The aid distribution mechanism, according to the Minister, still uses the BPNT mechanism. Namely distributed non-cash through the Prosperous Family Card (KKS) to the e-warong that has been determined. "Still using the old card (KKS). So as of today, we have not procured any new cards. We are still using KKS," said the Minister.

To continue to improve and support the quality of the Basic Food Program services, Juliari asked Himbara banks to increase the number of e-warongs. Because he saw, the ratio of e-warong was still insufficient compared to the number of KPM.

Director General of Poverty Management (Dirjen PFM), Andi ZA Dulung hopes that the groceries Program can help reduce the problem of stunting in Indonesia.

The Director General of PFM said that the way the government reduces stunting through the Groceries Program is by providing a choice of foodstuffs that can be purchased by KPM according to their needs and provisions by paying attention to nutrition.

"So this is why the government continues to improve the situation, so this program is also added to the stunting prevention program with various nutritional combinations," Andi said.

KPM is given the freedom to spend the assistance provided in accordance with the needs and provisions so that KPM becomes happy.

"This really makes the mother herself manage (spending) so that the mother is happy, so it is designed in such a way," said the Director General of PFM.

However, Andi advised KPM not to buy items that are not allowed, for example, cigarettes. If it is known that there are KPM who can buy these items, sanctions will be given to the e-Warong that sells them.

For South Sulawesi Province, the recipients of the Basic Food Program are 468,913 KPM with a total aid value for 12 months of IDR 844.043 billion.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs RI