Palm Farmers Demand Protection from Government
4 September 2015 18:36 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Palm Farmers Union coordinator Mansuetus Darto demanded the government to implement Law No.11/2013 on protection and empowerment of farmers. The statement came after a discussion titled Sustainable Palm Oil Manifesto in Jakarta on Friday, September 4, 2015.
Darto said that the government was not serious in tackling problems faced by palm farmers who had hoped for the governmen's support.
"Right now, we feel that the government is not serious in empowering farmers. It can be seen from the large number of farmers that depend on conventional bank loan," Darto said.
Darto continued that farmers often have to face difficulties in applying for loans in conventional banks because they do not have any assets to be listed as collaterals.
"How can productivity be increased if it is difficult for the farmers to obtain additional capital," he said.
ABDUL AZIS