Cooperatives leave farmers unpaid

Cooperatives leave farmers unpaid

SURABAYA: Hundreds of farmers in the East Java regency of
Jombang have complained they have not been paid for rice sold to
local cooperatives, Antara reported on Monday.

One of the farmers, Munif, said local farmers delivered
several tons of rice worth Rp 500 million (US$57,500) about two
weeks ago. But the cooperatives had not paid for the delivery,
citing delayed disbursement of funds from state bank BRI and the
National Logistics Agency (Bulog).

Munif said that normally farmers received payment two days
after delivery.

"We won't be able to prepare for the next planting season if
we do not receive the money this week," Munif explained.

Farmers and cooperatives have agreed to set the rice price for
April delivery at Rp 2,312 per kilogram.

Antara estimated the delayed payment for rice purchases by
cooperatives had reached Rp 42 billion across the Jombang
regency.