One day before the end of 2022, the supply of chilies is monitored to be safe and prices are relatively under control. This time the ranks of the Ministry of Agriculture are directly monitoring the availability of supplies in Sumedang Regency. As one of the chili centers in West Java Province, in general the conditions on the land vary. There are those that have just started planting, there are plants that are already flowering, there are plants that have just started to harvest and there are plants that have already finished harvesting, meaning that every day in Sumedang Regency there is always a supply."H-3 ahead of the new year, Sumedang Regency has sufficient supply. Every day we can send 4-5 tons of chili to wholesale markets in Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi) including PIKJ, 0.5 tons of bird's eye chilies and 4 tons of curly chilies," said Sumedang Regency chili champion, Aceng , Saturday (31/12/2022).
The Director General of Horticulture, Prihasto Setyanto, said he was optimistic that the chili supply in Sumedang Regency would be safe. "Seeing the plantations in Sumedang Regency, I am personally optimistic that the chili supply will be safe," he said. This optimism, continued Prihasto, is supported by Early Warning System (EWS) data released by the Ministry of Agriculture. Based on the EWS of cayenne pepper, there was a surplus of 41,040 tons in December 2022 and a surplus of 20,305 tons in January 2023. "Large chilies also show a surplus of 41,063 tons in December 2022 and a surplus of 42,914 tons in January 2023. This can allay concerns about the supply shortage of strategic horticultural commodities ahead of the new year," he explained. "We have high optimism to meet the needs of our region, including filling the needs of the capital city. We have extensive plantations. Within a year, the chili planting area in Sumedang Regency reaches 1,000 ha," said the Head of the Food Crops and Horticulture Service for Sumedang Regency, H. Sajidin.
The Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, said that all of his staff would monitor the condition of chili cultivation in the field and anticipate potential price fluctuations. "The precise strategy in maintaining the supply of chili that has been carried out by us is to create chili areas and partner with champions who are highly dedicated to the welfare of the Republic of Indonesia (Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia). In 2023, the commitment to stock various chilies with champions is 2,750 tons. Around 1,250 hectares are spread over 10 champion districts consisting of Garut, Cianjur, Sumedang, Banjarnegara, Kebumen, Magelang, Temanggung, Kulon Progo, Malang and East Lombok," said Syahrul.
