Gerindra Appreciates Red Onion Processing Facility in Brebes That Breaks into Exports
Endang Setyawati Thohari, a member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Gerindra Party faction, expressed appreciation for the production achievements of the Red Onion Processing Plant operated by the Sidomakmur Farmer Group, PT Sinergi Brebes Inovatif, located in Sidamulya Village, Brebes Regency, Central Java.
According to Endang, this success demonstrates the importance of value-chain development and targeted agricultural potential mapping. She views this approach as aligned with President Prabowo Subianto’s administration’s vision of strengthening national food security and improving farmer welfare.
“Value-chain development is not merely about increasing production, but about building village independence and ensuring farmer welfare is protected amid global market dynamics,” said Endang in a written statement on Thursday (26 February 2026).
She expressed pride in the Brebes red onion production achievements, which she believes exemplifies agricultural management based on regional potential. Endang emphasised that with proper agroecological zone mapping, import dependency should be reduced.
“I am very proud and impressed with the results of Brebes red onion production. If we properly map the agroecological zone, there should be no need for red onion imports,” she said.
Endang recalled conditions from around 15 years ago, when red onion harvests coincided with import policies, causing prices to collapse and farmers to suffer significant losses. During that period, there was even excess supply, with red onions distributed free to road users.
According to Endang, conditions have gradually improved. Value-chain development and strengthening farmer institutions through village cooperatives are seen as capable of maintaining price stability whilst strengthening rural local economies.
“I am proud that changes have now occurred, especially with value-chain development and red and white village cooperatives. This is important to prevent capital flight from villages to cities. Banking has many regulations, whereas cooperative profits return for member welfare,” she added.
Additionally, Endang appreciated the Brebes red onion export achievements to several neighbouring countries. She believes this success proves that Indonesia’s local commodities can compete in international markets whilst increasing farmer income.
She noted that producing red onions on one hectare of land requires production costs of approximately 140 million rupiah. Meanwhile, farmers can obtain harvest yields of 250-350 million rupiah per hectare.
“One hectare requires costs of around 140 million rupiah and after harvest can generate 250-350 million rupiah. That is extraordinary. Even I, a doctor, cannot be certain of earning that much,” she added.
Going forward, Endang hopes that the value-chain development model applied in Brebes can be used as a major strategy for implementation in other villages with potential flagship commodities. She also stressed the importance of protecting local commodities from being exploited by outside parties.
“We must not allow our potential to be exploited by other countries. Until now, there are commodities like jengkol and petai that are actually labelled as coming from Thailand, whereas they originate from Indonesia,” she asserted.