Good News For Farmers! Trade Minister Proposal Funds IDR 100 Trillion For SOEs Buy Farmers

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan during a visit to Badung Bali Market. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

BALI - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan proposed funds of Rp. 100 trillion for State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) to buy agricultural products.

"I proposed a fund of Rp. 100 trillion yesterday. This is what is being discussed," said the Trade Minister after reviewing the price of basic necessities at Badung Market, Bali, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, September 21.

The Minister of Trade said that President Joko Widodo approved and ordered the formation of SOEs that would buy agricultural products, including soybeans and corn.

According to the Trade Minister, the government will buy farmers' products at the best price, for example, the price determined by farmers is Rp. 10,000, but in the market the price is Rp. 6,000, the government will buy it at a price of Rp. 10,000.

"The Attorney General's Office, for example, in low-cost markets, the government will buy the best price. It has been approved. SOEs are currently being designed to tackle agricultural products," said the Minister of Trade.

Thus, Zulkifli said farmers only need to focus on production and not worry about prices, especially when the harvest season arrives, where agricultural product prices drop drastically.

"It will be formed by SOEs that buy agricultural products, so that our farmers are guaranteed the price. So, production farmers only. There is no need to think about the price. The government will buy it later," said Zulkifli.

It is known, President Joko Widodo ordered SOEs to buy domestic agricultural products so that farmers don't have to bother thinking about marketing their crops.

This is one of the results of a limited meeting of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet regarding the prices of soybeans, shallots, and chilies.

This policy is expected to make Indonesia self-sufficiency in soybean commodities, shallots, and chilies.