Agriculture Minister Pledges to Finish Rice "Mafia"

Yogyakarta, (Antara) - Agriculture Minister  Amran Sulaiman pledges to eliminate a number of 'Mafia' in rice distribution which hurts both the farmers and consumers.

"I will cut short the distribution links and if necessary without room for middle men," Amran told reporters here on Wednesday.

The minister made the statement during his visits to a number of places -- Cilacap, Baturaden, Purwokerto, Kebumen, Purworejo, and  Yogyakarta to see harvest taking place  and had dialogs with farmers.

The minister said 'Mafia' has hurt the state, with their speculation in rice trade.

They pile large stock when the price is low to be released when the price is high, he said.

The minister said the speculators hold stock not to guarantee rice supply at a time of scarcity but they are interested only making profit.

"Now, however, they are at a loss . They thought it is a period of scarcity but currently harvest takes place in many areas that the prices remain  under control," he said.

The speculators have suffered heavily  as the government has changed the planting system that there are always areas having harvest, he said.

Under the system, there is no idle lands, he said, adding, after harvest the farmers are required to start planting  that harvest could take place  from time to time , he said.

"Now we are self sufficient in rice  supply , and no longer  need for rice imports," he said.

With rice sufficiently available in the market, rice Mafia  could no longer speculate  in price, he added.(*)