Cut marketing chain in fish trade: Surjadi

JAKARTA (JP): The cumbersome procedures in the actual sales of fish should be cut down and the welfare of fishermen improved through cooperatives, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said.

"There are many fishermen on the city's coast and on the Seribu islands whose lives could be improved through cooperatives," Surjadi said yesterday.

"Among the constraints to enhance their welfare are the cumbersome procedures involved in selling their catch," he said, when opening the city's special week for promotion of agriculture, cooperatives and family planning.

Fishermen communities, such as the Untung Jawa island in the Seribu Islands district, are among those categorized as the city's poorest. They are recipients of the presidential funds for poverty.

Along with opening activities at the Ragunan camping grounds in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, Surjadi also officiated the Board of farmers and fishermen executives' contact group.

This week's activities are part of a national celebration of the 24th Agricultural Day, the 49th Cooperative Day, the 26th Family Planning Day and the 3rd Family Day.

Artowo Sastrosemito, the head of the city's office of the Ministry of Agriculture, said 500 workers in agriculture and fishing are attending the activities. There will be attendance of other groups which are part of the National Family Planning Board - initiated new family savings movement.

Surjadi urged officials to gear their attention toward the effectiveness of cooperatives for workers in agriculture and fishing.

Related city offices are those of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the agencies of fisheries and agriculture.

Surjadi also urged more professionalism in agribusiness, to increase the commercial value of agricultural products here.

"For this purpose I call for more cooperation between farmers, distributors and traders," Surjadi said.

The activities include displays and sale of agricultural products. (anr)