Optimizing the Role of the Lubuk Linggau Branch Office of the State Logistics Agency (BULOG) in Maintaining Rice Price Stability Through the Affordable Food Movement

Abstract

Price stability and rice availability are essential to ensuring public access to food; therefore, effective distribution, administrative accuracy, and stock control are strategic components of food stabilization programs. This community service program aimed to optimize the implementation of the Affordable Food Movement (Gerakan Pangan Murah/GPM) by providing assistance in rice distribution at the Perum BULOG Lubuk Linggau Branch Office. The identified partner-related challenges included unclear beneficiary data, errors in document entry, discrepancies between administrative records and physical warehouse stocks, technical constraints in paddy handling due to weather conditions, and long queues during GPM implementation. The program was conducted through participatory observation, assistance with administrative and operational distribution processes, stock and price monitoring, and evaluation of food distribution activities. The team’s interventions focused on assisting with beneficiary data verification, reviewing distribution documents, reconciling administrative records with physical warehouse stocks, supporting rice packaging and distribution, and monitoring GPM implementation in collaboration with BULOG personnel. The results indicated that the assistance contributed to more systematic verification of beneficiary data and distribution documents, improved consistency between administrative records and physical stock levels, and better coordination of rice distribution at GPM distribution points. The assistance also facilitated the timely identification and resolution of operational constraints through improved coordination among distribution personnel, warehouse managers, and other relevant stakeholders. Overall, the program demonstrates that operational and administrative assistance can enhance the effectiveness of GPM implementation while strengthening BULOG’s role in maintaining rice availability and affordability. This assistance model has the potential to serve as a practical approach to strengthening food distribution governance toward a more systematic, responsive, and well-targeted system.