Puan Maharani: Coffee Can Be A Souvenir For Guests, Let's Support Indonesian Farmers!

Photo via Wardhany Tsa Tsia / VOI

JAKARTA - Chairman of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani said there are various ways that can be done to support coffee farmers in the country. One of them is to make the products they produce as souvenirs for guests.

This was conveyed by Puan when she opened the 2022 Homeland Coffee Festival which was held at the East Parking of Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, May 27. This activity was carried out as a series of activities to commemorate the 49th PDIP Anniversary.

"I hope we can give souvenirs in the form of coffee for the guests who come. Let's support Indonesian farmers," said Puan in her speech at the event.

Furthermore, the chairman of the PDIP DPP said it was proper for Indonesian coffee to become champions not only at the national level but at the world level. Moreover, in almost every city many coffee shops have sprung up.

Puan gave an example, in Jakarta, every few hundred meters, a new coffee shop appears. "So it is only natural for us as PDI-P cadres to bring Indonesia to become world champion in coffee," he said.

However, this desire must be done in mutual cooperation. So, it is hoped that the coffee farmers can advance into the depths.

"We build this nation by working together," he said.

After delivering her speech, Puan then opened the event which was held for three days until Sunday, 29 May. This opening is marked by cutting the cone.

"By saying Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I officially open the Indonesian coffee festival," he said.

Complementing Puan's statement, Head of the Committee for the Indonesian Coffee Festival, Ono Surono, explained that Indonesia has long been known to have great potential for coffee. Of the world's coffee needs of 8.2 million tons per year, coffee production in the country can reach around 750 thousand tons per year.

Not only that, the circulation of money in the coffee business is also tempting to reach Rp. 4.8 trillion. The reason is that there has been a change in the segmentation of coffee connoisseurs, which has spread to young people.

This is what made PDIP then pay attention to the coffee industry in the country by holding this festival.

“For young people, hanging out at a kooi shop is a modern thing. So, as instructed by the Chairperson, Mrs. Megawati, this festival is carried out with the theme of the revival of Indonesian nationalism," said Ono.

The festival activities began with a dialogue about Indonesian coffee which was held a few months ago. At that time, it involved a number of government officials and local coffee entrepreneurs. It discussed the topic of coffee from upstream to downstream. "It is very contextual because it is in line with post-pandemic economic recovery efforts," said Ono, who is also the chairman of the West Java PDIP DPD.

In accordance with the instructions of the PDIP DPP, this festival is carried out with various activities. Including the title for the most coffee toast which will become a MURI record. There are also exhibition activities by a number of baristas, workshops, coffee bean auction market, mini coffee museum, and cultural arts performances and performances by Indonesian artists.

“This event involves 5 ministries, 29 DPD PDI Perjuangan from all over Indonesia, 4 coffee producing communities, dozens of local coffee brands. There are 535 barista training participants. There is also a photo competition where the winner is announced every day," concluded Ono.