SERANG – Banten Governor Wahidin Halim stated that agricultural products in Banten are no less qualified than other regions. However, the Governor does not want agricultural products from Banten on the market labeled as not Banten and have an impact on the low welfare of Banten farmers.
This was conveyed by the Governor when opening the Socialization Event of the Banten Provincial Development Strategic Command (Kostratani) in the Aspiration Plaza, Thursday (1/23/2020).
“All products from Banten must be labeled Banten. Because Banten agricultural products are very good, from Pandeglang it is delicious but the label is not ours yet. Besides the region, farmers are also disadvantaged by this,” said the Governor
According to the Governor, the regional label is very important because agricultural products will be valued higher which then benefits the farmers. During this time, farmers only produce and then sell it in the form of raw materials without being processed and packaged neatly so that it is valued very low. Therefore, this must be a joint concern at both the central and regional levels.
“Based on the report I received, we said that our rice production is in surplus, but why is the price of rice in Banten even more than Jakarta? That’s because after harvesting, the trucks from Karawang are lined up to transport our rice either dry or wet, of course at a cheap price. Meanwhile, when it reaches the market, the price multiplies, “he said
Therefore, continued the Governor, amid macroeconomic growth that experienced turbulence, the agricultural sector must be a potential for survival. Therefore, the industrial sector which is now increasingly difficult due to the influence of the global economy, agriculture must be re-built and developed into a food and economic sovereignty.
“Don’t change it, the spatial plan in Pandeglang is for industrial areas. Many industries are laid off, but agriculture does not have layoffs because industry depends on the global economy. Pandeglang and Lebak, I see fertile, Subhanallah,” he explained
For this reason, said the Governor, the Government must provide support so that the quality and quantity of agriculture in Banten is better and able to compete with other regions. Therefore, the Banten Provincial Government created an Agribusiness-Owned Regional Enterprise (BUMD) so that Banten agricultural products are not brought directly to Jakarta or other regions.
Head of the Agricultural Human Resources and Development Agency at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dedi Nursyamsi revealed, the Ministry of Agriculture built Kostratani starting from the center to the district level. The aim is to revitalize the Extension and Development Agency, re-establish BPP and agricultural extension workers, revitalize agricultural facilities especially IT to revitalize the capacity of extension workers through capacity building training, increase operational costs and BPP office infrastructure facilities.
Head of the Banten Provincial Agriculture Office Agus M Tauchid added, Kostratani Banten Province is a district-level agricultural development movement with the aim of optimizing the duties, functions and roles of the BPP in increasing food sovereignty and agricultural development in the district.
“This is a form of harmonious synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant institutions in realizing food and agricultural sovereignty in Banten,” Agus said. (haryono / mb)