Kadin Values Downstream Food Sector In West Sumatra Can Be Developed As A Source Of Community Income

Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Bilateral Negotiations, Hendra Hartono. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) assesses that the downstreaming of the food sector in West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra) can be developed as a source of public income in the area.

"I think Kadin and Kadin pay attention to the food sector in West Sumatra Province as potential and strong enough," said Chairman of the Standing Committee for Bilateral Negotiation of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hendra Hartono in Padang, West Sumatra, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, May 29.

In addition to rice, said Hartono, gambir or plant with the Latin name Genus uncaria also has a great prospect of being included in the downstream program echoed by the central government.

Moreover, based on records from the Class I Padang Agricultural Quarantine Center, the gambir includes one of the 10 main agricultural commodities that contribute export figures from the Minang Field.

The 10 commodities are palm oil, palm oil shells, palm oil mangkil, cinnamon skin, rubber, coconut coconut coconut, gambir, mangosteen, coffee to coconut water.

"So, in my opinion, food diversification can be something we offer," he said.

According to him, if the West Sumatra Provincial Government is serious about downstreaming in the food sector, consistency is the main key. This is because five years earlier food diversification had also been carried out but the implementation had not been maximized.

Finally, his party also invites all parties to support and succeed in the downstream program initiated by the central government. Downstream is expected to accelerate economic growth in the country.

"I think we must respond optimistically to the new leadership (President and Vice President) including the ideas or downstream programs offered," he said.

His party believes that the downstream program promised by the President and Vice President-elect is part of a strategy to advance and increase economic growth in the country.