Minister of Trade Zulhas Will Simplify Applications for Soybean Subsidies for Tempe and Tofu Craftsmen

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, said he would try to simplify the process of applying for soybean subsidies for tempe and tofu craftsmen.

"Earlier, we have heard input from tofu and tempeh craftsmen in Lampung, if the application for subsidies is quite complicated because they have to make proposals and so on", said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, in Bandarlampung, quoted from Antara, Friday, September 30.

He said that with the input, his party would try to find a way to distribute subsidies more simply.

"Tempe craftsmen know that if they want to get subsidies, the process is long, they have to fill in data, and having a NIB is a bit of a hassle. But later it will be fixed, they will look for a simple way so that it is not difficult", he said.

With a subsidy of IDR 1,000 per kilogram for imported soybeans in the market which is distributed through the Indonesian Tofu Tempe Producers Cooperative, the Trade Minister hopes that this will help entrepreneurs of traditional tofu and tempeh.

"It is hoped that this will help tofu tempe craftsmen so that the price of imported soybeans, which was previously IDR 13,000 per kilogram, becomes IDR 12,000 per kilogram. So the government will help and fight for prices to be stable", he added.

A positive response to this was conveyed by the Secretary of Indonesian Tofu Tempe Producers Cooperative of Lampung, M Darja. "If the terms and process of providing subsidies to craftsmen can be simplified, of course, we will support this", he said.

He said that there were indeed many craftsmen who had difficulty in the management and process of obtaining the subsidy, so many hoped that it could be simplified soon.

"Hopefully, with this subsidy, tofu and tempeh craftsmen can continue to produce and get affordable soybean prices because now the price has reached IDR 13,000 per kilogram with an easy process", said Darja.