Exodus of tangerine growers

Exodus of tangerine growers

From Forum Keadilan

I became very depressed when I read a feature entitled Exodus
of Pontianak tangerine growers: spirits sag at commercial order,
in Forum No. 12/V/23 September 1996. Moreover, this has happened
as a wave of foreign fruit like apples from the USA, Australian
pears, Mandarin oranges, New Zealand apples, red grapes, and
more, are hitting the local market.

The spirits of these tangerine growers are low. How do we
expect to promote local fruit consumption if preference for
imported fruit appears overwhelming?

While trying to stem the flow of imported fruit, the tangerine
growers of Pontianak in West Kalimantan bemoan the existing
commercial procedures.

Thousands of tangerine growers in West Kalimantan have left
their profession for menial jobs in neighboring Malaysia. They
are forced to do so to sustain themselves and their families with
a steady income.

Being a great nation due to the achievements of its people,
Indonesia should eliminate the tangerine trade order and the
existing commercial procedures. Let the growers take care after
they produce themselves under fair supervision. Do not let tons
of tangerines rot away for unclear reasons.

DJOKO PERMONO

Jakarta