Whether we like it or not, agricultural products are highly
\ndependent on the season. When harvest time comes and produce is
\nabundant, a plunge in prices cannot be prevented. The question
\nis, what can we do about this? Farmers actually need stable
\nprices for their produce. What bothers them at the moment is the
\ndistortion in prices. So many foreign products are flooding the
\nIndonesian market, sending the prices of domestic products down.<\/p>\n
This is what is happening to Central Java's clove farmers.
\nAlthough the domestic demand for clove is higher than the supply,
\nthe commodity is still traded at a low price. There must be
\nproducts from outside which influence the price, and we cannot
\nseem to see them.<\/p>\n
This is happening not only to clove but also to coffee and
\nrice.<\/p>\n
In many developed countries, the government buys the farmers'
\nproduce at good prices in times of difficulty. It is a kind of
\nsubsidy. The aim is obvious -- to avoid discouraging the farmers
\nand to allow them to enjoy the results of development.<\/p>\n
We certainly do not have the luxury of improving conditions
\nfor farmers as we are facing severe financial problems. But what
\nwe should avoid is to ignore their problems and fail to support
\nthem. We can seek solutions to the farmers' problems if we pay
\nattention and side with them. We can at least give them
\ninformation on markets they could tap to prevent them from being
\ndisappointed after their hard work.<\/p>\n
-- Kompas, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The price of LPG
\nto rise<\/p>\n
The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will soon increase,
\nsays Ridwan Nyak Baik, spokesman for the state-owned oil and gas
\ncompany Pertamina.<\/p>\n
The price increase in LPG will certainly affect millions of
\nconsumers, however, Pertamina's decision on the hike is based on
\nthe fact that the people's economy is recovering and the rupiah
\nis getting stronger against the dollar, according to Ridwan.<\/p>\n
Ridwan said that Pertamina should have increased the price of
\nLPG three years ago, but the plan had to be delayed because the
\npeople's economic burden was so great at that time.<\/p>\n
Pertamina's decision, however, evoked a strong reaction from
\nthe Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI), which described the
\ndecision as a ridiculous and unpopular move.<\/p>\n
Muhamad Ihsan, a YLBHI official in charge of public
\ncomplaints, said that legal proceedings against the previous
\nincrease had not yet been settled at the Supreme Court. The
\ncomplaint was lodged by a non-governmental organization opposed
\nto the LPG increase in February 2003. Therefore, Pertamina is
\nharassing the law by deciding to increase (again) the LPG price,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
We can only lament upon hearing the planned increase in the
\nprice of LPG. People, who have just been stunned by the increase
\nin toll road fees, electricity and telephone charges, and public
\ntransport fees, will soon be further burdened by the new LPG
\nprice.<\/p>\n
-- Warta Kota, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/whether-we-like-it-or-not-agricultural-products-are-highly-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }