Batang Curhat Farmers To Kaesang About Lack Of Farmer Cards

PSI Chairman Kaesang Pangarep took pictures with volunteers from various communities in Batang, Central Java, Monday (18/12/2023). (ANTARA/Katriana)

JAKARTA - PSI General Chair (Ketum) Kaesang Pangarep listened to complaints from residents about farmer cards when they went to Batang Regency, Central Java, Monday, December 18.

"The previous one, especially the forest farmer group, had a problem with the farmer card," said Kaesang after a dialogue and gathering with many communities from Pekalongan, Pemalang and Batang areas.

During the event, a plasma farmer from Sukorejo named Eko Pujiono complained about the farmer card.

Eko said the farmer card made it difficult for farmers, especially plasma farmers and forest farmers, to buy fertilizer.

"The existence of a farmer's card is a bit difficult for farmers, many are crying," said Eko about the problems he and other plasma farmers were faced, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said the current fertilizer price is quite expensive, which is around Rp. 250 thousand per kilogram (kg). Meanwhile, the farmer card program initiated by the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, to distribute subsidized fertilizers, according to him, makes it difficult for farmers to buy fertilizers at a cheaper price.

"To want to buy fertilizer, everything is a bit difficult. Moreover, forest farmers and plasma farmers are not allowed to take fertilizers," he said.

When asked how the farmer card program was approved, Eko said that the farmers initially agreed with the program, but on the way, the program was not implemented so many farmers complained.

"Yes, maybe someone agrees, but on this trip it is not carried out. There are many farmers who complain. Moreover, tea and coffee farmers, they cannot buy fertilizer," he said.

For this reason, Eko hopes that the price of fertilizer can be lowered so that he and other farmers can buy fertilizer at a more affordable price for them.

Responding to the problem, Kaesang said he would accommodate the complaint and study it further to find a solution.

"We need to learn more," he said.

Kaesang's visit to Batang is part of a series of political safaris to 12 cities in Central Java which start from 16 to 20 December 2023 to listen to the aspirations of the community.

Before going to Central Java, Kaesang also conducted a political safari to Medan, Kupang (East Nusa Tenggara), Manado (North Sulawesi), Bandung (West Java), and several areas in Java and Jakarta.