Fajarasia.co – Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, participated in harvesting sugar cane with farmers in Cirebon Regency. He also provides support for improving facilities and infrastructure for sugar cane farmers for the sake of national sugar independence.
Puan’s presence in Mertapada Wetan Village, Kec. Astanajapura, was warmly welcomed by residents, Monday (4/7/2022). Puan harvests sugar cane with 14 farmers in Astanajapura District, Cirebon.
“I learned to cut sugar cane and it turned out that the sickle was very sharp. It’s easy to cut, as if I’m used to harvesting sugar cane,” said Puan.
After harvesting, Puan held a workshop with about 1,000 sugarcane farmers. He had a dialogue to hear the aspirations of local sugarcane farmers.
To the farmers, the first woman who served as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives revealed that her party was continuously trying to find solutions to various existing problems related to sugarcane farming. One of them, said Puan, is the distribution of subsidized fertilizers which is always constrained.
“We always support and strive so that fertilizer difficulties can be overcome on target. It can be through cooperatives to facilitate distribution,” he said.
Puan also highlighted the problem of credit for sugar cane farmers who hope to be given ease in the application process. He promised to convey these aspirations to the Government.
Sugarcane fields in Astanajapura District previously supplied the Sindanglaut Sugar Factory (PG). However, PG Sindanglaut has been closed since early 2020 for an indefinite period due to the lack of raw material supply for sugar cane in recent years.
Sugarcane farmers hope that PG Sindanglaut will be reopened so that they can supply their crops. As stated by one of the sugarcane farmers, Mrs. Nurhayati.
“The mill is very difficult to start with fertilizer, I want the factory to open again,” said Nurhayati.
The same thing was conveyed by a sugarcane farmer named Ajhar. He said many regret that the historical Sindanglaut PG is now closed. It is also increasingly difficult for farmers to supply sugar cane to other sugar factories which are located further away.
“Why do we hope to open it, childhood romance disappeared a long time ago. If you have to go to PG Tersana Baru, renting a loader is difficult, you can’t go far,” he explained.
Puan also said that she was ready to bring the aspirations of the sugarcane farmers. He also gave support so that PG Sindanglaut could return to operations so that farmers in Cirebon did not have to go too far if they wanted to supply sugar cane.
“Hopefully the Sindanglaut PG can be reopened because the DPR really supports national sugar independence, so that imported sugar doesn’t flood the market. Furthermore, how the price of sugar from sugar cane farmers is adequate and can be marketed, “said Puan.
“In principle, the DPR supports programs that make it easier for farmers. What I said earlier I will take it to Jakarta. God willing, there will be a solution,” he continued.
Furthermore, Puan encourages sugarcane farmers to increase productivity, which must be accompanied by improvements in facilities and infrastructure. Puan said that national sugar independence could be realized if the domestic sugarcane supply was abundant.
“Reducing sugar imports must be supported by national sugar production through sugar factories. But the availability of sugarcane supplies must also be supported by farmers. So upstream and downstream, everything has to be done,” said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.
Puan stated that sugar is one of the national strategic commodities. He is sure that Indonesia can be victorious again as the world’s mainstay sugar producer if the welfare of sugarcane farmers is guaranteed.
“The welfare of sugarcane farmers needs to be a concern for all elements of the nation, through various policy supports as well as facilities and infrastructure to support agricultural productivity,” said Puan.
The grandson of the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia, Bung Karno, reminded the threat of a global food crisis that must be handled wisely by stakeholders. Puan also emphasized the importance of supporting agricultural technology that can help increase sugarcane productivity.
“The harvest of sugarcane farmers continues to be awaited by all circles, both the industrial world and people in various regions,” he said.
According to Puan, the role of sugarcane farmers is very important for Indonesia’s food independence. Thus, it is the responsibility of the state to ensure that their needs can be facilitated.
“We thank the sugarcane farmers who have worked hard to mobilize all their minds and energy to be able to meet the food needs of all Indonesian people,” said Puan.
At the end of the dialogue, Puan handed over various aids to the sugarcane farmers. The assistance provided was in the form of 650 liters of repairers, 20 thousand NPK fertilizers, 200 liters of herbicides, 25 handsprayer, and 10 units of water pumps.
Puan visited the sugarcane farming area with a number of DPR members, namely the Chairman of Commission III of the DPR Bambang Wuryanto, the chairman of Commission V Lasarus, the Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the DPR Aria Bima, and the Deputy Chair of Commission IX of the DPR Charles Honoris.
Then Member of Commission III of the DPR Ahmad Basarah, Member of Commission VI of the DPR, dr. H. Mufti Aimah Nurul Anam, and Member of Commission VIII DPR My Esti Wijayati. Cirebon Regent H. Imron Rosyadi also accompanied.*****
