Temanggung Regent: Tobacco Absorption Expected to Reach Maximum This Year
Temanggung — The Regent of Temanggung, Agus Setyawan, stated that the prospects for tobacco absorption this year remain optimistic. With high-quality raw materials, tobacco absorption is expected to reach its maximum potential by the end of the harvest season.
He noted that this optimism is bolstered by the renewed activity of several cigarette factories that serve as primary buyers of Javanese tobacco, including Djarum, Wismilak, Sukun, Noyorono, Gadjah Baru, Ares, and various other Type III manufacturers.
“If we look at several areas, a single basket of tobacco can be contested by multiple tobacco traders. Therefore, I remain optimistic that absorption will be maximal this year,” he said in Temanggung on Sunday.
According to the Regent, the characteristics of the planted tobacco are a crucial factor in meeting factory requirements. The cultivation of specific varieties with lower sugar content, or even zero sugar, is considered highly feasible to develop.
“As long as Javanese varieties are planted, the criteria for sugar content can be reduced or even eliminated. I am confident this can be accommodated,” he added.
He expressed hope that this condition would be supported by consistent purchasing from factories, alongside the provision of the best possible prices for farmers. Market certainty and fair pricing are considered vital to ensuring farmers remain motivated to produce high-quality tobacco.
“My hope is that factories remain consistent in providing the best prices for farmers,” he said.
On the other hand, he noted that tobacco quality is not determined by a single factor. From the initial stages of soil preparation, planting, and maintenance to harvesting and post-harvest processing, all stages are interconnected and determine the quality of the resulting raw material.
Consequently, he encouraged more factories to utilise and absorb high-quality Javanese tobacco, including tobacco derived from Javanese seeds that meet industrial criteria.
He mentioned that while the quality of raw materials this year appears good, the next challenge lies in the processing stage. The large number of labourers and managers involved means that the application of processing techniques in the field is not always uniform.
With the support of high-quality raw materials, active manufacturing interest, and the hope for favourable purchase prices, tobacco absorption this year is expected to run at maximum capacity and provide better profits for farmers.
He noted that tobacco prices in the market this year range from Rp350,000 per kilogram for Grade E tobacco in Lamuk, while Grades C and D are priced between approximately Rp65,000 and Rp80,000 per kilogram.