Regent Threatens To Revoke Retail Store Permits If No Sambas Farmers' Rice

Rice Harvesting Activities in Sambas (ANTARA/Dedi)

PONTIANAK - The Regent of Sambas, West Kalimantan, Satono, has threatened to revoke the licenses of retail stores operating in his area if they do not want to sell Sambas farmers' rice.

"The government's plan to sell Sambas farmers' premium rice to retail stores as an effort by the government to provide the downstream sector for farmers must be supported by all parties including entrepreneurs. This is a good intention to help Sambas farmers, I think everyone will welcome them. They support, including Indomaret and Alfamart if they don't We want to revoke the permit," he said, quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 30.

Satono said that one of Satono-Rofi's nine flagship programs is One Village One Product (OVOP). The abundance of rice harvests for farmers in Sambas Regency can be used as premium rice for the village's superior products so that it can be used as OVOP.

"One of Satono-Rofi's nine flagship programs, namely OVOP. Sambas is a rice barn, a rice barn, so that it can really contribute to farmers in Sambas Regency. Not only for food, but can improve their economy. So we are looking for a sector downstream," he said.

The Regent of Sambas said that one of the government's efforts to provide the downstream sector for farmers could be in various ways. First, it requires all Civil Servants (PNS) to buy local farmers' rice.

"First we pack it up, we encourage it through cooperatives, all civil servants whose number is more than 6,000 people, we are obliged to buy Sambas farmers' rice. Then retail stores such as Indomaret and Alfamart that exist, we ask to be obliged to sell Sambas farmers' rice," he said.

Satono added that in order for premium local rice sold in retail stores to be competitive with other premium rice, the local farmers' rice must be packaged as well as possible and the quality maintained.

"Currently, the Sambas Regency Government is preparing regulations so that the policy is based on law," he explained.