President Jokowi Releases Exports Of Agricultural Commodities Simultaneously From 17 Destinations To 61 Countries

President Joko Widodo gave a speech at the Release of Independent Agricultural Exports, Saturday (14/08/2021) afternoon, virtually from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java. (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) released agricultural commodity exports which were carried out simultaneously from 17 gates to 61 countries.

The event entitled Merdeka Exports, which was held in commemoration of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day was attended by the President virtually from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java.

"Today we will export agricultural commodities simultaneously from 17 export gates, through airports and seaports in various regions in Indonesia as a momentum to strengthen Indonesia's agricultural commodity exports and mark the revival of the national economy in the midst of a pandemic," said the President, quoted from the Setkab website, Saturday, August 14th.

The President expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders in the agricultural sector from upstream to downstream who have worked hard in meeting national food needs and increasing exports.

“I would like to express my highest appreciation and appreciation to the farmers, ranchers, planters, agribusiness actors, and other agricultural stakeholders, who during the pandemic have worked hard, not only to meet the food needs of the community but have also succeeded in increasing exports of agricultural products," he said.

The agricultural sector is one sector that is able to survive the pandemic. Agricultural exports in 2020 reached Rp451.8 trillion, an increase of 15.79 percent compared to the previous year's figure of Rp390.16 trillion. Meanwhile, the export value for the period January to July 2021 reached IDR 282.86 trillion, an increase of 14.05 percent compared to the same period in 2020 which was valued at IDR 202.05 trillion.

"This increase in exports of agricultural commodities has an impact on improving the welfare of farmers as well," said the President.

In addition, the Farmer's Exchange Rate (NTP) also continued to improve. In June 2020 the NTP was at 99.60, then consistently increased until December 2020 it reached 103.25 and in June 2021 it reached 103.59. "This is good news, which can spur the enthusiasm of our farmers to remain productive during the pandemic," said the President.

On that occasion, the Head of State also welcomed the export of agricultural commodities in the form of rice to the destination country of Saudi Arabia. However, he also reminded to prioritize the fulfillment of national needs.

"If it is calculated correctly that our rice is in excess and we can export it, then export it. But once again it is calculated, calculated, that the existing stock is actually sufficient for domestic needs first. This means that domestic needs come first, if the calculations have leftovers, please export them,” he said.

President Joko Widodo asked his staff to continue to strengthen the market for agricultural commodities both domestically and abroad.

“In our country, we invite people to love, to buy our own agricultural products, and to consume healthy food, produced by our own nation. Overseas markets are also being worked on intensively and integrated, integrated, and starting to enter the markets of non-traditional countries, this is our opportunity, our momentum is very good during this pandemic, so the market potential is expanding," he concluded.

In his report, Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syarul Yasin Limpo stated that the total value of exports in this activity reached Rp7.29 trillion.

"Exports that will be released on this occasion are 627.4 million tons, the value is Rp7.29 trillion, including the first commodity for plantations 564.6 million tons, food crops 4.3 million tons, horticulture 7.2 million tons, livestock 4 0.0 million tons, and several other commodities,” said the Minister of Agriculture who participated in the activity at Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya, East Java.

The agricultural exports will be sent to a number of export destination countries such as China, the United States, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, England, Germany, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and several other countries.

There are also the 17 export gates, both seaports, and airports which are the places for export of agricultural commodities to be released in this Merdeka Exports, namely the Kariangu Sea Port, Balikpapan; Tanjung Perak Seaport, Surabaya; Dumai Seaport, Pekanbaru; Long Sea Port, Bandar Lampung; Belawan Seaport, Medan; Tanjung Priok Seaport, Jakarta; and Boom Baru Seaport, Palembang.

Then Batu Ampar Seaport, Batam; Soekarno Hatta Airport, Banten; Tanjung Mas Seaport, Semarang; Soekarno Hatta Seaport, Makassar; Trisakti Seaport, Banjarmasin; Talang Duku Port, Jambi; Teluk Bayur Harbor, Padang; Tanjung Balai Asahan Port; Dwikora Seaport, Pontianak; and Bitung Seaport, Manado.