Jakarta, Feb. 8 -- The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has said that rice will continue to be distributed under the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program even though the government has suspended the provision of food assistance.

Under the SPHP program, rice is being sold at relatively cheaper prices of Rp10,900 (around US$0.70) per kilogram in Zone 1, Rp11,500 (around US$0.73) per kilogram in Zone 2, and Rp11,800 (around US$0.75) per kilogram in Zone 3.

Bapanas head Arief Prasetyo Adi, in a written statement received from the agency here on Thursday, said that the program must be continued to meet people's needs as well as to ensure the availability of rice stocks in markets.

"Other efforts for food supply and price stabili...