As a primary need and one of the main consumption menus of the majority of Indonesia's population, the guaranteed supply of rice is always expected to be maintained. Unmet rice availability can trigger inflation and other social problems.

So, as a guardian of food supply stability, especially rice, Bulog launched the Cheap Food Movement (GPM) of SPHP Rice (Stabilization of Food Supply and Prices) on 18 July 2025. This movement aims to keep the supply and price of rice under control.

Rice is one of the main national food commodities, and its supply and price must be kept safe as it will affect the inflation rate. Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the inflation rate in July 2025 reached 2.37% in which rice contributed 0.15%. Rice is the commodity with the highest inflation contributor.

In implementing the SPHP Rice GPM, Bulog will be assisted by the Indonesian National Police (Polri) in the form of supervision.

Perum Bulog Director of Operations and Public Services Mokhamad Suyamto said that his party and the National Police had held a coordination meeting. Both agencies agreed to strengthen food security and control rice prices through the implementation of the SPHP Rice GPM so as to stabilize and maintain inflation.

"This synergy is a strength in intensifying the distribution of SPHP rice, ensuring that it really reaches the hands of people in need," he told SUAR, Sunday, (10/8/2025).

The SPHP program is a government assignment to Bulog through the National Food Agency (Bapanas) with the aim of maintaining stable rice supply and prices at the consumer level.

The program runs from July to December 2025 with a target distribution of 1.3 million tons of rice across Indonesia. The purchase of SPHP rice by consumers is limited to 10 kilograms with the aim of making it more equitable for many people.

The price of SPHP rice sold in the SPHP Rice GPM will follow the highest retail price (HET) according to the respective region. Namely, IDR 12,500 per kg for Java, Lampung, South Sumatra, Bali, NTB, and Sulawesi; IDR 13,100 per kg for Sumatra except Lampung and South Sumatra, NTT, and Kalimantan; and IDR 13,500 per kg for Maluku and Papua.

"With stronger synergy between Bulog and the National Police, this movement is expected to be a new milestone in strengthening the national food security system," said Suyamto.

Must involve the private sector

IPB University agricultural observer Dwi Andreas said that the SPHP Rice GPM is indeed needed at this time, given the condition of rice prices in various regions that are unreasonable and not in accordance with the HET.

He suggested that Perum Bulog and the National Police must be really consistent in implementing the SPHP Rice GPM and need to involve the private sector in supervision.

"Those who have a network to the market and in the narrow alleys are the private sector, it would be nice if they were invited," he told SUAR, Sunday, (10/8/2025).

Currently, the private sector, such as rice mills, is worried. Many of them have closed their businesses due to the fear of the Food Task Force. In fact, the private sector and the government should establish a harmonious relationship - not suspect each other.

Dwi said that the strength of the national food system will occur if there is integration between the government and the private sector, not just a matter of policy.

Adjust HET price tag with COGS

Chairman of the Indonesian Rice Millers and Rice Entrepreneurs Association (Perpadi) Sutarto Alimoeso said, something that is still a concern for rice entrepreneurs is the unsynchronized regulation of the highest retail price (HET) with the government purchase price (HPP).

The government needs to adjust the HET of rice in the market with the increase in the HPP of grain at the farm level.

"In essence, the HET must be adjusted to the development of the HPP so that consumers and farmers are not harmed," he said.