TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo asked the domestic tobacco industry to prioritize the products of local tobacco farmers since the tobacco harvest will coincide with the arrival of the peak dry season. Ganjar said he has relayed this information to the domestic tobacco industry actors. "I have met two biggest cigarette companies in Indonesia and asked them to buy (tobacco supplies) from local farmers," said Ganjar on Thursday, August 3, 2023.

He also mentioned that the increase in cigarette tax has affected the local tobacco farmers' uptake. "After the tax surged, companies slowed down (cigarette production) which caused the procurement capacity to be smaller in number. However, I still urge the companies to prioritize buying tobacco from farmers," Ganjar added.

Ganjar also asked the government to limit tobacco import, especially with tobacco center regions entering their harvest season, namely Temanggung Regency, Magelang, Boyolali, and other regions.

Meanwhile, the Temanggung Regent M. Al Khadziq has previously mentioned that cigarette companies in Temanggung are set to buy tobacco supplies from local farmers this year. "However, the companies could not disclose the quota for tobacco purchase yet," he said in Temanggung, on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Despite this fact, Khadziq believed that all tobacco from Temanggung will be purchased due to its high-quality value. Temanggung itself is one of Central Java's tobacco producers with around 13,000 to 14,000 hectares of tobacco lands.

Khadziq also hoped that the companies purchase tobacco from farmers at an appropriate price so the farmers as well as the companies could be profitable.

JAMAL ABDUN NASHR

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