SMEs Buy 10 Thousand Tons Of People's Salt In Madura, Much More Expensive Than The Market Price

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

PAMEKASAN - The Central Board of the Prosperous Justice Party (DPP PKS) purchased 10 thousand tons of people's salt on Madura Island, East Java for Rp. 2 million per ton. This price is much more expensive than the current market price which is only IDR 500 thousand per ton.

"We do this as a form of moral support to salt farmers on the island of Madura, considering that the current price of salt is not in favor of salt farmers," said PKS President Ahmad Syaikhu on the sidelines of a meeting with salt farmers in Cangkreng Hamlet, Konang Village, District Galis, Pamekasan, quoted by Antara, Friday, September 24.

The decision to buy 10 thousand tons of people's salt at a price of IDR 2 million per ton was made after Syaikhu had direct dialogue with representatives of salt farmers, listened to their complaints, and the price of people's salt at the farmer level.

This method, he said, is also an effort to arouse the commitment of policy holders, so as not to free importers to import salt.

This is because, according to Syaikhu, the low price of salt is due to the lack of protection for salt importers, so that the domestic price of salt plummets.

The government, he said, should limit the import of salt, and foster salt farmers in Indonesia so that the quality of salt is getting better nationally, so that the salt produced by farmers can also be suitable for industrial salt.

Rosyidi, a salt farmer in Konang Village, Galis Sub-district, Pamekasan, during a dialogue with the PKS President, explained that the price of salt per kilogram has continued to fall.

He said, in 2017 the price of people's salt had reached Rp. 3,000 per kilogram, or Rp. 3 million per ton.

"After that, it dropped to Rp. 2,500 per kilogram and currently Rp. 500 per kilogram. How will we prosper if that is the condition, we are suffering," he complained.

Farmers' losses continue to increase, when it often rains while salt production is still in progress, plus the road to the people's salt land is damaged.

"Because many roads are damaged, once a car carrying salt stumbled and fell into the river," said Rosyidi.

Therefore, he hopes that the PKS and the people's representatives from the party can fight for the fate of the salt farmers.

"Hopefully the PKS President can fight for us," he hoped.

Responding to the complaint, Syaikhu promised to fight for the fate of salt farmers through members of the DPR RI and members of the DPRD, both in provinces and districts/cities, including through regional heads from PKS or those carried by PKS.

"Especially for those in the DPRD because they can fight through local regulations," he said.

In addition to direct dialogue with salt farmers on Madura Island, the arrival of PKS President Ahmad Syaikhu is also in commemoration of National Farmers Day which falls on September 24.

On that occasion, the PKS President also handed over food packages to Pamekasan residents affected by COVID-19, and then had a dialogue with chili farmers in different locations in Konang Village, Galis District, Pamekasan.