Klaten and Gayo Lues Regencies Forge Agricultural and Plantation Partnership

The Government of Klaten Regency and the Government of Gayo Lues Regency, Aceh, have agreed to establish cooperation in the agriculture and plantation sectors. The cooperation agreement was signed during the 222nd Klaten Anniversary ceremony at Klaten Square on Tuesday (28/7). The agreement marks the beginning of synergy in developing the leading potential of each region, whilst strengthening the fraternal relationship that has long been established since Gayo Lues experienced a disaster. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in agriculture and plantations was signed on Wednesday (28/7) as part of the 222nd Klaten Anniversary commemoration ceremony at Klaten Square. Klaten Regent Hamenang Wajar Ismoyo expressed gratitude for the ceremony, which also served as the momentum for the cooperation between the two regencies. He noted that the anniversary was made more special by the presence of distinguished guests, including the Regent of Gayo Lues from Aceh Province. According to Hamenang, the initial phase of cooperation focuses on agriculture and plantations. This sector was chosen based on the results of the Gayo Lues Regent’s two-day visit to Klaten to observe the region’s potential for joint development. One significant opportunity is the coffee sector. Gayo Lues is known as a centre for Arabica Gayo coffee production, whilst Klaten also has coffee-growing potential, particularly on the slopes of Mount Merapi. He explained that the partnership aims to revive Klaten’s once-thriving coffee potential, especially given the rising coffee consumption trend in Indonesia, which presents a substantial economic opportunity. Meanwhile, Gayo Lues Regent Suhaidi stated that the cooperation is a follow-up to the collaboration established between the Provincial Governments of Aceh and Central Java. He noted that Klaten’s agricultural processing systems, rice management, plantations, and the development of tourist villages on the slopes of Mount Merapi provided much inspiration for Gayo Lues. He confirmed that the agricultural processing system in Klaten is excellent and will be adopted in Gayo Lues, having personally visited the Merapi slopes to see the high economic value of coffee development potential.