Integrated agriculture terminal proposed for city

Integrated agriculture terminal proposed for city

JAKARTA (JP): City-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya
proposed on Friday the establishment of an integrated agriculture
terminal to help boost distribution and sales of agricultural
products in the capital, an official said.

President of PD Pasar Jaya, Syahril Tanjung, told a meeting
with the City Council's Commission D on development affairs that
the integrated terminal was very much needed by both the farmers
and buyers.

"The terminal will help farmers market their products and at
the same time provide potential buyers with an integrated place
to make transactions," Syahril said.

"The terminal will also provide the farmers with necessary
information on all kinds of fresh agricultural commodities which
are needed by buyers.

"On the other hand, it will help stabilize the prices of the
products," he added.

He said the establishment of an integrated terminal was in
line with the city's general plan to develop Jakarta into a
service-oriented city ahead of the implementation of regional
autonomy, which is slated for May 2001.

"We see that fresh agricultural products have a potential for
domestic markets and for exports. Therefore, we have to
facilitate local farmers to penetrate these markets," he said.

Syahril said the construction of the terminal, which will
occupy a 10-hectare plot in the Rawa Buaya area of Cengkareng
district, West Jakarta, would cost about Rp 100 billion (US$11
million).

He said the terminal would market such produce as fresh
fruits, spices, vegetables, fish as well as quality seeds for
farmers.

"I have discussed the idea with Governor Sutiyoso. And the
governor has given his green light to the proposal," he said,
while citing that he had received a similar response from the
Ministry of Agriculture.

"We have also conducted a feasibility study to further develop
the plan," he said.

The official said he had gathered input from private market
and hyper market operators, who repeatedly complained of having
difficulties getting good quality fresh agricultural commodities
for their businesses.

"Meanwhile, we also understand that small-scale farmers have
problems fulfilling the buyers' demands on time," he said.

Syahril vowed that proper management and quality control would
be maintained in the planned integrated terminal.

"Quality monitoring will be strictly observed in the proposed
terminal so that buyers, especially those from the tourism
industry, and exporters can rely on it," he said, adding that the
terminal's management would issue certificates for farmers who
could ensure and maintain their product quality.

PD Pasar Jaya is currently supervising 151 traditional markets
throughout the city, accommodating some 80,000 traders, mostly
from small scale businesses. (lup)