Bangka Belitung Pepper Farmers Can Now Sell at Commodity Auction
1/11/2024
In an effort to revive the prominence of Muntok White Pepper, the Bangka Belitung (Babel) Joint Marketing Office (KPB) has initiated training programs to enhance farmers' understanding of marketing their pepper at auction markets. Prof. Saparudin, Director of the Regional-Owned Enterprise BUMD B3S, highlighted that these educational sessions aim to introduce pepper farmers to the commodity auction market, providing a new avenue for selling their Muntok White Pepper.
Prof. Saparudin expressed optimism that with improved knowledge and skills, both individual farmers and farmer groups could participate in the commodity auction market to sell their pepper directly to buyers. “By increasing farmers' understanding of modern marketing systems, they can directly sell their pepper to buyers wherever they are,” Saparudin explained.
He added that this approach would empower farmers to set their own prices, which could potentially boost the local economy. “The goal is for farmers to directly sell their pepper to buyers and set their own prices. This way, farmers can enjoy better economic outcomes. In other countries, it's the farmers who benefit from the prosperity, not just the traders,” he said.
Paulus Lumintang, President Director of JFX, fully supports the regional government's efforts to restore the glory of Bangka Belitung’s pepper. The main aim of implementing auction market sales is to enhance the well-being of local pepper farmers and increase revenue for the regional government. Lumintang emphasized that the unique taste and aroma of Bangka Belitung pepper set it apart from peppers from other countries. Therefore, he urged farmers to maintain the quality of their pepper and avoid converting pepper fields to other types of plantations.
“Farmers should not convert their pepper lands to other uses. If this happens, we will have to import pepper from other countries. Maintaining the quality of production is crucial,” Lumintang stated.
