Ganjar Promises Tobacco Farmers Harvesting Expenditures To Cigarette Factories At High Prices

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

TEMANGGUNG - Agricultural production in Central Java, especially Temanggung Regency, not only excels as a coffee producer, but also a champion in tobacco farming.

This is evidenced by the holding of the 4th Bansari Softness Festival in Mixingom Village, Bansari District, Temanggung Regency on Thursday 27 July which was opened by the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo.

On that occasion, Ganjar also had a dialogue with tobacco farmers. The farmers submitted complaints regarding the welfare of farmers, fertilizers and agricultural machine tools (alsintan). Mainly, farmers want the certainty that farmers' crops can be sold completely.

Ganjar has made one of the programs, namely Farmer Cards. The Farmer Card Program aims to realize distribution, control, and supervision of subsidized fertilizers, to farmers who are entitled to it.

The Central Java Farmer's Card also allows the distribution of subsidized fertilizers according to the number, type, time, place, quality, and price, as well as providing banking services for farmers.

"There are several questions that need assistance and modernization, including mechanization, because the lower or the less young people who want to farm," said Ganjar at the location.

Furthermore, based on projection, the productivity of tobacco land in Temanggung reaches 0.7 to 0.8 tons per hectare. With this area, tobacco production in Temanggung Regency is estimated at 12,963 tons to 14,815 tons.

From this figure, the farmers also expressed their hope to Ganjar so that this year's tobacco harvest can be absorbed and sold entirely by cigarette factories.

In addition, farmers also ask that the purchase price of harvests can be higher.

That way, farmers' income will increase and the welfare of tobacco farmers can be guaranteed.

"We need mutual understanding between farmers and manufacturers. If it can be communicated properly, the price is good, the farmers will be prosperous," said Ganjar.