Smallholder rubber farmers are being called upon to demonstrate\ngreater solidarity in managing their economic potential, particularly\namid fluctuations in global prices and productivity challenges. This is\nespecially significant given that over 80% of Indonesia\u2019s rubber\nplantations are smallholder farms managed independently by local\ncommunities.<\/p>\n
The statement was made by Irfan Ahmad Fauzi, Chairman of the Central\nLeadership Council of the Indonesian Rubber Farmers Association\n(Apkarindo), in Bandung on Tuesday, 10 March.<\/p>\n
He explained that strengthening the national rubber sector must begin\nwith empowering farmers as the primary stakeholders. The dedication of\nrubber farmers in maintaining the sustainability of this commodity\nrepresents a substantial asset that must be optimised. \u201cRubber farmers\nare the backbone of the national industry. Therefore, every effort to\nstrengthen this sector must ultimately strengthen economic value at the\nfarmer level,\u201d said Irfan.<\/p>\n
Optimising this potential, he continued, depends heavily on creating\na transparent trading system that favours farmers. Apkarindo is\ncommitted to serving as a bridge for farmer aspirations to ensure their\nlabour yields fair and competitive value in the global market.<\/p>\n
To address these challenges, Irfan mentioned that the association\norganised a Rubber Farmers\u2019 Forum as a venue for strategic consolidation\non Tuesday, 10 March. This forum is not merely a social gathering but a\nconcrete effort to analyse trading challenges and formulate collective\nsteps to restore rubber commodities to their status as a pillar of the\nnational economy.<\/p>\n
The activity was attended by several strategic partners, including\nSVP of Sales Strategy and Customer Service at PT Pupuk Indonesia\n(Persero) Asep Saepul Muslim, and VP of Customer Management at Pupuk\nIndonesia Robbin Radhian Lee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe presence of industry and government representatives is expected\nto accelerate collaboration, particularly regarding the reliable supply\nof production inputs such as fertiliser and standardisation of harvest\nquality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He hoped that this forum momentum in Jambi would spark a national\nmovement to restore rubber commodities as a stable source of\nprosperity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want the fruits of farmers\u2019 labour to receive fair value, so that\nthe household economy of farmers can continue to grow,\u201d he\nconcluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/strengthen-bargaining-position-rubber-farmers-must-optimise-potential-1773154400", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }