Bulog President Director Budi Waseso or Buwas, is in discussions with a number of countries to increase the availability of imported soybean stocks, especially for the production of tofu and tempeh. "In fact, there are 11 countries that produce soybeans, which are currently being negotiated," said Buwas at the FKS Multi Agro Bekasi warehouse, Monday (4/18/2022). However, he does not want any choice to enter into a contract with any country. The government will first discuss with the producers of tofu and tempeh. "So later I will test the examples of soybeans to the craftsmen, is this suitable or not at a relatively cheap price? If later it is suitable, we have brought it," he said. Currently, the procurement of soybean imports still depends on the United States alone. However, Buwas is reluctant to forever rely on his fate in the land of Uncle Sam alone. "For example, today it can enter 100 thousand tons from America. But it's not necessarily 100 thousand tons next month. Maybe there are problems with harvesting, production, etc. So, we have to have alternatives, so that tempeh craftsmen are guaranteed to have their goods," he said. Therefore, Perum Bulog is currently exploring contacts with 11 countries other than the United States. Before reaching an agreement, the imported soybeans will first be tested for their suitability for the production of tofu and tempeh. "Later, we will test the sample, test it with friends who make tofu tempeh, this is good for tofu tempeh or both. Some countries include India, Brazil, Argentina. There are several countries, including Australia," he explained. For reasons of import, Buwas explained, local soybean farmers will not be able to produce and meet domestic needs. So the government is forced to bring in imported soybeans, mainly from the United States (US). "Why do we import them from America? The first, which is ready, is from America. Second, because these are the specifications needed by tofu and tempeh craftsmen," he explained. "So Bulog does not bring in and buy this from soybeans. We first ask the tempeh/tofu craftsman. What kind of craftsman likes it, then we bring it in," he said.
Perum Bulog has started a program to distribute imported subsidized soybeans to tofu and tempeh producers for 4 months, starting from April to May 2022. The maximum ceiling is 200 thousand tons per month, or a total of 800 thousand tons. President Director of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso (Buwas) said the current demand for imported soybeans is still far below the maximum target figure. "We have to actually prepare 200 thousand tons of soybeans per month for 4 months. But what is needed is only 52 thousand tons (per month)," said Buwas at the release of imported soybeans at the FKS Multi Agro Bekasi warehouse, Monday (18/4/2022). Buwas estimates that local soybean farmers will not be able to produce and meet domestic needs. So the government was forced to bring in imported soybeans, mainly from the United States (US). "Why do we bring in from America? The first one, which is ready, is from America. Second, because this is the specification required by tofu and tempeh craftsmen," he said. "So Bulog does not bring in and buy this randomly from soybeans. We first ask the tempeh/tofu craftsman. What kind of craftsman likes it, then we bring it in," he added. He also guarantees that the stock of soybeans from Uncle Sam's country is sufficient, it just needs to be distributed at a price of IDR 10,250 per kg, lower than the economic price of IDR 12,000 per kg. The distribution process is carried out according to the list of needs, through the Indonesian Tofu and Tempe Producers Cooperative (Kopti). To ensure availability in the medium to long term, Buwas is also negotiating with other countries to obtain additional supplies of imported soybeans. "This does not mean that we will take it from America, no. There are several countries that we have explored, we will try later in the laboratory which one is the most suitable and in accordance with what our friends want from tofu and tempeh craftsmen," he said.
Perum Bulog carried out the procurement and distribution of subsidized soybeans to the Indonesian Tofu and Tempe Producers Cooperative (Kopti) in West Java. In this activity, Bulog distributed 100 tons of soybeans imported from the United States (US). The distribution was carried out through one of the soybean supplier warehouses owned by FKS Multi Agro Bekasi on Monday (18/4/2022). This activity was directly attended by the Managing Director of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso and the Chairman of the Indonesian Tofu and Tempe Producers Cooperative Association (Gakoptindo), Aip Syarifudin. In this first distribution, 8 trucks were dispatched to transport 100 tons of soybeans to be distributed to craftsmen through Primkopti, Bogor Regency, Depok City, Bekasi Regency, Indramayu Regency, and Kuningan Regency. Budi Waseso said that the increase in soybean prices would have an impact on tempeh and tofu as a cheap source of protein and consumed by most Indonesians. "The suggestion from this program is tofu and tempeh craftsmen who are members of the tofu and tempeh cooperative established by the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs. This soybean distribution program will be implemented throughout Indonesia," said the man who is familiarly called Buwas in Bekasi, Monday (4/18/2022). For that, he continued, the government has assigned Bulog to supply soybeans at a lower price than the market price. A difference of IDR 1,000 per kg is given for tofu and tempeh craftsmen who are members of the target Kopti.
