Confess To Ganjar, Jepara Ukiran Craftsmen Expect Ease Of Capital

Presidential Candidate Ganjar Pranowo/ANTARA PHOTO/Hafidz Mubarak A/nz

JEPARA - The carving craftsmen in Blimbingrejo Village, Nalumsari, Jepara, Central Java, complained about access to capital for presidential candidate number 3 Ganjar Pranowo who visited the region.

So far, according to the recognition of the craftsmen, access to capital has always been an obstacle for production activities. So far, the craftsmen have only received capital assistance from the people's business credit program (KUR) with various ceilings.

"That's why we need capital assistance from others, this is the average capital that is lacking. If it's only Rp. 5 million, Rp. 10 million, Rp. 15 million is given in stages, it's finished to pay workers and buy wood. So, we can't sell, so we stop. If we use KUR, it's stuck," said one of the craftsmen to Ganjar as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 2.

The craftsmen also hope that Ganjar can improve economic conditions so that the glory of Jepara, dubbed the world-class Kota Ukir, can rise again. The reason for the additional capital is because of the large number of consumers, but production is lacking because they cannot buy raw materials.

"As a result, consumer order needs cannot be met due to capital problems," said the craftsman.

The number of furniture ukir craftsmen in Blimbingrejo reaches 100 people with an average of 5 to 10 workers. In fact, from marketing techniques, craftsmen have relied on online methods through social media, such as Facebook or Whatsapp. There are parts that market, some are part of production.

Receiving a vent from these craftsmen, Ganjar immediately responded quickly. "Immediately sat set, please introduce the group to classify the amount of capital," he said.

Ganjar added that the ukir industry in Jepara is still an idol, especially for gebyok products and sales are still good. The craftsmen already want to modernize the way they sell it, but access to capital is still needed.

"Often when taking credit (KUR), it turns out that the complaints are small, so when the project is over, the money has been used up by workers. They ask for a scheme so that the credit can be easier, can be taken up in front and so on," explained Ganjar.

During the visit, Ganjar had a dialogue with the ukir craftsmen. Ganjar also briefly tried out how to carve wood with a flower-shaped pattern.

It was Ahmad Nurdinsyah, a coolie who had a dialogue with Ganjar.

"Yes, Mr. Ganjar asked about carvings. I pray that Mr. Ganjar can become president and hope that Mr. Ganjar understands the fate of small people, improves Jepara's economy. We as coolies can only carve out, of course, we hope that the carving business can progress, hopefully, Jepara products can rise again, Jepara's condition can return again," he said.

Ganjar said it was necessary to preserve and develop so that Jepara could become a center for ukir and utilize technology for industrial progress.

"So there are proposals for vocational schools to produce so that carving crafts are of interest to children and there is a regeneration process," added Ganjar.