Currently, clove farmers, said the Secretary General of the National Leadership Council (DPN) of the Indonesian Clove Farmers Association (APCI) I Ketut Budhyman, almost did not get the attention of the government. Clove imports are opened freely under the pretext of free trade. APCI has proposed to the government to change this rule, but so far there has been no change.
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All of this, he said, started with the policy of Thomas (Tom) Trikasih Lembong as Trade Minister (2015-2016) who implemented the issue of free trade.
Theoretically, this policy focuses on deregulation, debirokratisasi, and global economic integration to maintain food price stability and increase the competitiveness of Indonesian investment. However, in reality, clove farmers are very affected because of the entry of imported cloves without hindrance. As a result, the price of cloves has plummeted.
"So anyone can import cloves. The price of cloves is Rp. 150,000 to Rp. 50 thousand," he said.
APCI is not silent with this policy. They have sent a letter to President Jokowi, and Pramono Anung as the Cabinet Secretary has summoned APCI.
"As a result, this issue was delegated to the Ministry of Economy. However, after I approached there, there has been no concrete solution until now," he said.
During President Prabowo's tenure, he considered reminding the government about the fate of the clove farmers.
"We will schedule a meeting with the parties concerned about this. Hopefully, the fate of clove farmers in the future can be better," I Ketut Budhyman told Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, and Irfan Meidianto when they visited the VOI office not long ago.
The European nation once sailed for cloves to Nusantara. Now, are our cloves still the "Chocolate Gold" that the world is fighting for, or is their position starting to shift?
In short, I can say, as long as kretek cigarettes are legal, cloves will still be needed. Because kretek cannot be separated from cloves. It is not called kretek if the cigarette does not contain cloves, because cloves are the main ingredients of kretek.
The production of cigarettes in Indonesia is 97% kretek cigarettes. But in the community, people still think that cigarettes with filters are not kretek cigarettes, even though it is kretek cigarettes using cloves. The public considers that those who use filters are called white cigarettes. In fact, it is Sigaret Kretek Mesin (SKM). While the one that absorbs a lot of labor is the linting, namely Sigaret Kretek Tangan (SKT).
This clove is a plant endemic to the archipelago, native to Maluku. Then by the colonizers it was also developed in Madagascar and Zanzibar. Indonesia is the largest producer of cloves in the world, and at the same time the largest consumer of cloves in the world.
How much is our clove production per year?
An average of 120 to 140 thousand tons per year, with a number of farmers of around 1.5 million people. These clove gardens are spread almost throughout all provinces in Indonesia. The main ones are in Sulawesi, Maluku, Java, Sumatra; Kalimantan is a little, Bali, NTB, and NTT are also there.
People used to call this clove "brown gold", is this not an exaggeration?
It is not excessive to call it brown gold. In the Dutch era, the price of cloves was equivalent to gold. Because cloves or spices, Indonesia was colonized by the Europeans. So at that time the economic value was very high. The spice became a very useful material in Europe; as a warm-up and to preserve food.
When electricity was discovered, cloves were no longer widely used for preservation so that they eventually over-supplied. The Dutch even asked the people to cut down clove trees. The situation improved after H. Jamhari in Kudus (1870s) mixed tobacco and cloves for kretek. Initially to treat the toothache he had. It turns out that the mixture developed, kretek became a home industry until it became a large industry as it is today.
"So this is our cultural heritage, that's why we proposed to make it a cultural heritage, but it was opposed by the anti-smoking community.
The anti-smoking campaign is very intense, does this affect clove farmers?
Their anti-smoking campaign was very intense. They entered the bureaucracy and legislation. The point is they say cigarettes are the cause of all diseases, including the cause of deforestation. I just laugh at this deforestation issue. Cengkeh is a forest plant, its function is the same as other forest plants.
Besides for cigarettes, what else is the use of cloves today?
Mainly for cigarettes, but there is also a small scale for pharmaceuticals, food, and spices.
Has the government provided protection for clove farmers?
Before 2015, the government protected clove farmers with a legal umbrella called the Minister of Industry and Trade Decree. The point is, cloves can only be imported if domestic production does not meet the needs, and can only be imported by industry.
Well, in 2015, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong made a free trade policy. So, anyone can import cloves. As a result, the price of cloves, which was Rp150,000, fell to Rp50 thousand.
"From our clove production, how much is used for the cigarette industry?
Almost all of our cloves are absorbed for the cigarette industry, so there is actually no need to export. However, since the free trade policy, everything has become chaotic. This is what we are actually asking the government: provide protection to farmers so that prices stabilize again.
Besides Indonesia, what other countries produce cloves?
The largest is Indonesia, other countries are Madagascar and Zanzibar. Our cloves are used for cigarette production. Our kretek cigarettes are actually in demand by subtropical countries because of their warming effect. However, our cigarettes are banned by these subtropical countries to protect their own cigarette production.
Actually, this kretek is the biggest strength in the economic field, unfortunately the government does not protect it. They hide under the pretext of health, and it is suspected that there is a global agenda to weaken the Indonesian economy. Kretek cigarettes are only in Indonesia, this should be made a pride and preserved.
Earlier you said that cigarettes - especially kretek - have always been the scapegoat for disease, and this campaign is massive. How do you deal with it?
Until now, there has been no independent research on the correlation between smoking (kretek) and health. What exists is Western literature, but that is for white cigarettes. For kretek cigarettes themselves, there is none.
Moreover, now there are restrictions on tar and nicotine. Tobacco we certainly can't meet the provisions (West) because our natural conditions are typical, plus cloves which make the tar level even higher. I wonder, kretek cigarettes are herbal and become our economic gurus, why aren't they taken care of? I agree with health, but the welfare of farmers also needs to be considered.
"Before there was BPPC in the New Order era, now what is the pattern of clove price protection?
BPPC was established in 1994, the goal is to maintain the dignity of farmers. At that time, farmers sold their clove harvest to KUD (Village Unit Cooperative). But KUD said there was no money to buy. Finally there was an over-supply and the price dropped to Rp. 2,000, for the harvest costs alone was not enough.
On October 14, 2000 in Surabaya, APCI was declared by Dr. H. Dahlan Said. As a former marine, he was so persistent in defending clove farmers. Now, the free trade rules that exempt imports make that protection no longer exist. The price of cloves is governed by market law. The government does not protect clove farmers.
"I once told the Director General of Foreign Trade, everywhere the country protects its products in the country, not free imports as it is now. Free trade is good if it is balanced. Between us and America, we lose because it is unbalanced.
The Minister of Finance has just issued a new layer policy on people's cigarette taxes. As the Secretary General of APCI, how do you respond to this?
Regarding absorption, as long as the aggregate production remains, there is no problem. But we clove farmers are also responsible citizens, so of course we do not agree if there is illegal cigarettes.
If the government accommodates the illegal to be legal, it is good. Government revenue can increase. The point is, law enforcement must be consistent.
What did APCI do to ask the government to protect clove farmers?
"When Trade Minister Tom Lembong issued the free trade rules, we sent a letter to President Jokowi at that time, because we were not involved. We were then called by Mr. Pramono Anung, who was then the Cabinet Secretary (Seskab), then this issue was thrown to the Ministry of Economy.
"I came to the Ministry of Economy to ask for the revocation of the free trade rules, but until now there has been no response. It means that this is considered a small problem, yes. Later, if you want an election, we will be found. So, the tax money wants it, but it does not want to protect the farmers. While cigarette taxes contribute Rp. 217 trillion per year, compare with BUMN which is Rp. 83 trillion or Minerba which is Rp. 140 trillion.
In the era of President Prabowo, was there an effort to ask for the free trade rules to be changed?
"Currently we have not done it, because naturally the supply-demand is running well. The clove price is now in the range of Rp. 100,000.
In the future, what do you predict the future of clove farming will be like?
"I remain optimistic as long as the government does not make cigarettes illegal, cloves will continue to be absorbed by the cigarette industry. If possible, information on clove prices continues to be provided to us. Mr. Prabowo was the Chairman of HKTI (Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association), we hope he can hear our complaints as clove farmers.
"We farmers will continue to fight because this is our rice cooker. If you are anti-smoking, you get funding from companies and global donors with the excuse of improving public health. In fact, if you want to be honest, the cause of the disease is not single.
Cigarette tax this year does not rise, your response?
"This year we are grateful that the government did not raise taxes. But there are still regulations (local regulations) that are not in our favor. We ask the government to be fair and act fairly. Don't let a regulation benefit one party, but shut down the other party.
Aging with a Simple Style by I Ketut Budhyman: The Secret of Being Fit and a Simple Alarm for YourselfAge may be old, but the spirit and body are still fresh. That is what can be seen in the figure of I Ketut Budhyman who now holds the position of Secretary General of the National Leadership Council (DPN) of the Indonesian Cengkeh Farmers Association (APCI).
"We are born, live, and die naturally. What humans can do is slow down the aging process. If it's a matter of life or death, it can't be done, it's the decree of the Almighty," he said.
"Fitness must be achieved. "Fitness must be achieved. It can't suddenly be fit. And it's a choice," he said.
What do you do to achieve fitness?
"First, don't overdo it. Anything that is excessive can cause disease. Thinking too hard can make you sick. Eating too much can make you sick. I try to take care of that," said the man who has no eating restrictions.
In terms of eating, he agreed with the concept of Islam which teaches to stop eating before being full. "That's what Islam teaches, and my father also taught me and his children," he said.
He was taught by his father to get something that is long-term. "So, don't be big but keep it finished. The Balinese language is loud. It means small but long," he said.
The second is to be realistic. "Don't let our desires exceed our abilities. If it's not achieved, our psyche is disturbed," he said.
The third tip is just exercising. "I do gymnastics every day for 15 minutes every morning. If there is a chance, walk in the morning. The most important thing is that the older you get, the more you have to move. If you don't move, your muscle mass will go down. Well, that's what makes you weaker," he said.
Furthermore, you shouldn't force yourself. "If you're tired, stop, rest first. If you're sleepy, you sleep. All of these alarms are inside of us. It's that simple. But sometimes we ourselves make it complicated, hehehe," he added.
Responding to ProblemsEveryone must have problems in life. This is realized by I Ketut Budhyman. "There must be problems, it must be faced and resolved. And the problem must have a solution, just sooner or later. Sometimes we can't wait," he said.
To be called a patient person, he said, must go through a process that is not short. "I'm still in the process of getting there. If my father, he's really reached the level of patience. In terms of eating, he never adds even though the food is delicious. Until old age he is not fat," he said.
As a clove farmer, I Ketut Budhyman admitted that the harvest from his garden in Tamblang Village, Buleleng Regency, Bali, was still not optimal. "Ideally, one hectare is two tons. I haven't reached that," he admitted.
Seeing and overseeing the clove garden is a happiness for him. "If you go to the clove garden, especially when it is in bloom, it makes you happy to see it and also smell its distinctive aroma," he said.
Even though his harvest is not optimal, from the 3 hectares of his garden he has he can make him smile. "Last year I got 90 million from my garden. So per hectare is only about 3 quintals," said the man who prefers to invest by buying this land.
Sharing Attention for FamilyEven though he is busy with various activities, I Ketut Budhyman still divides his attention to his family. Previously he had not had time to pay attention to his children, now he makes up for it by pouring his attention on his grandchildren. (Photo: Bambang Eros VOI, DI: Raga Granada VOI)
Even though he is busy, taking care of his family is something he has to do. Now, after the children have families, his attention has shifted to his grandchildren. That's why when there is an event in Jakarta, he will be very happy.
"If there is an event in Jakarta like yesterday that I attended, a discussion about tobacco, I am happy to come. And I don't need to stay in a hotel, at my son's house in the Puri Kembangan area, West Jakarta," he said.
In addition to being able to meet his children, he can also miss his grandchildren. "So everyone meets; children, in-laws, and grandchildren," he continued.
In this old age, he no longer has lofty desires. "I think everyone wants a quiet old age, right? Can be sociable with grandchildren. I used to not have time to socialize with my children, hehehe," said I Ketut Budhyman.
"I remain optimistic as long as the government does not make cigarettes illegal, cloves will continue to be absorbed by the cigarette industry."
I Ketut Budhyman
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