The Government Encourages Development of Horticultural Areas, Increases Exports and Regional Economy.

Deteksipost.com – Bali – The government continues to encourage the development of products that have high competitiveness and export potential. Not only industrial products, but also products from other sectors such as agriculture.
 
“So as to accelerate the program to increase exports of agricultural products, the Government is encouraging the development of export-oriented horticulture areas as a priority program which is a quick win for the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy,” said Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Susiwijono when giving a speech in launching and planting the first export-oriented horticulture development at the national level , Saturday (12/28), in Jembrana Regency, Bali.
 
Susiwijono explained, the role of the agricultural sector in national economic growth was increasingly important and strategic. The contribution of this sector in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ranks third after the industrial and trade sectors.
 
In addition, the agricultural sector is a sector that has a surplus when other sectors experience a trade balance deficit. As of August 2019, the agricultural sector recorded a surplus of US $ 0.34 or grew by 12% from the previous year.
 
In this first planting, Cavendish Banana was chosen as a commodity to be developed. Because, Cavendish Banana is a horticultural commodity that has good development prospects because it has high economic value and market potential that is still wide open, both domestically and abroad.
 
The results of horticultural production are expected to be a substitute for imported fruit originating from the Philippines and meeting local needs, such as hotels and others so as to reduce the national trade deficit.
 
However, in its development there are still some challenges such as weak human resources, farmers’ institutions, limited capital, lack of assistance and technological innovation, and limited market access.
 
“The solution is that there needs to be a partnership between the government and the private sector that can help farmers in designing production patterns and marketing to meet domestic and export needs. This is important so that our farmers become more independent, resilient and able to compete in the global market, “said Susiwijono.
 
As a priority program, the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy will coordinate through policy integration, namely: 1) land acquisition through optimization of Social Forestry land use policies; 2) increasing production, quality and product competitiveness; 3) increasing access to farmers’ financing through People’s Business Credit (KUR); 4) increasing market access through e-commerce; 5) logistical support; 6) construction of infrastructure / transportation infrastructure; and 7) support for international trade and tariff policies.
 
While the commitment and support of Local Governments (Provinces and Districts) in the form of land provision, development of supporting infrastructure, strengthening farmers’ institutions, access to finance, and assistance to farmers will be the key to the success of this program. Of course, supported by the relevant technical ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Industry.
 
The PT Great Giant Pineapple (GGP) as an offtaker and company that cooperates with local governments and farmers, through the Creating Share Value program will collaborate with farmers’ groups on the basis of empowerment and win-win solutions for the parties. conduct cultivation / production of bananas that are competitive and of export quality.
 
In addition, the Minister of Economy also emphasized that the export-oriented horticultural development program is a tangible manifestation of the government’s seriousness to encourage local products with global competitiveness. Today’s launching activity marked the start of the program nationally.
 
It is planned that in the near future after Jembrana development will be carried out in other locations, namely in Bener Meriah Regency (Aceh), Blitar Regency (East Java), and Bondowoso Regency (East Java).
 
“Hopefully, the development of the horticultural area is really able to contribute in increasing exports and improving the regional economy which in turn has an impact on the welfare of farmers,” he concluded.
 
While present on this occasion the Deputy Governor of Bali, Deputy for Food and Agriculture Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Jembrana Regent, Bondowoso Regent, Director of PT GGP, Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of Bali, NTB and NTT, and representatives of other relevant agencies. (TEAM).