Tobacco farmers cry for help

Tobacco farmers cry for help

BOJONEGORO, East Java: Some 600 tobacco farmers from 15
villages in Kepuhbaru district in East Java's Bojonegoro regency
demanded on Monday that local councillors bring pressure to bear
on cigarette producers to buy their tobacco.

The farmers, riding on ten trucks and styling their group the
Tobacco Farmers Association (PPT), complained that they could not
sell their tobacco as the companies had already closed their
warehouses.

"Many farmers have decided not to harvest their tobacco since
one kilogram of rough tobacco leaves is only worth between Rp 200
and Rp 500. Ideally, it should be sold at Rp 800 per kilo," PPT
coordinator Khoirul Anam asserted.

Councillor Afiz Koenwidoyoko said that the Council had asked
the Bojonegoro mayor to urge the cigarette producers to buy
tobacco from the farmers.

He said that cigarette producers like PT Gudang Garam and PT
Djarum had agreed to open their warehouses again on Sept. 7 while
PT Bentoel and PT HM Sampoerna had refused to accede the demand.
--Antara