Jakarta –
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil released coffee exports to the Netherlands with a total value of IDR 4 billion in Mekarsari Village, Cikajang, Garut Regency. The coffee exported is a product of the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) and PT Astra Internasional Tbk.
The release of coffee exports was marked by the breaking of the jug by the Governor of West Java, Regional Secretary (Sekda) Garut Nurdin Yana, Chancellor of the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) Arif Satria, Expert Staff to the Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (UKM) for Inter-Institutional Relations Luhur Pradjarto, and Head of CSR and Social Engagement Astra, Triyanto.
On this occasion, Ridwan Kamil said he was proud that Cikajang District, Garut Regency could produce world class coffee. He said that his party was preparing a post COVID economic program by bringing back young college graduates to return to the villages and build businesses.
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According to Kang Emil, this export is West Java’s step to conquer the world through coffee commodities. Not only through raw products, he also hopes that West Java coffee can go global through its cafes.
“So we have to conquer the world with our coffee, both raw exports and the birth of cafes like West Java’s Starbucks all over the world. This is being prepared in the Netherlands and Switzerland. So one day I am sure,” said Kang Emil in a written statement , Thursday (3/3/2022).
For information, West Java Province has exported raw coffee products to several countries. Based on records from the Data and Information Systems Center (PDSI) of the Ministry of Trade in 2020 and 2021, the total value of West Java coffee exports reached US$ 16 million or around Rp. 200 billion (exchange rate of Rp. 14,300 per US Dollar).
He also revealed that West Java is preparing to open a coffee shop called Jabarano Coffee in several countries. It is known that Jabarano Coffee has opened in Melbourne, Australia and will continue in several other countries.
“We also have a tip concept (related to) coffee lifestyle, namely Cafe Jabarano has opened in Australia, this October it will open in Switzerland, yes, and one day in all cities of the world there will be Indonesian coffee, especially from West Java, as the flagship of coffee diplomacy, I think -I think so,” he said.
According to him, selling coffee to several countries is also getting easier with digital technology. This is in line with the Millennial Farmer Program which wants to prove that people living in villages can also have income like those in cities.
“Earlier we monitored the process very comprehensively and we are proud that Cikajang Garut produces world class coffee, something like that, then also the post COVID economic program, namely bringing back smart young people, college graduates to return to the village “building a business to become a company leader (or) CEO, becoming a millennial farmer is a concept that will continue to be developed in West Java and maybe one day it will become a leader throughout Indonesia,” he said.
He explained that in the future the concept of living in a village, sustenance in the city, global business is a very promising thing. This is also supported by pentahelix collaboration from academics, business, community, government and media.
Pentahelix Collaboration in Releasing Garut Coffee Exports
Garut Regional Secretary, Nurdin Yana, revealed that this freelance export activity is a continuation of the One Village One Product program or one village one product. He hopes that similar activities can continue so that community welfare can be improved.
“Yes, thank God, actually today we reviewed the material from the Governor regarding the OVOP One Village One Product (program) like that, but thank God today we saw that the realization of (OVOP) Cikajang has already been released (exported), let’s say 1 ton (coffee) approximately “I think it will be converted (to) IDR 4 billion, for (exporting) products abroad,” said Nurdin.
Nurdin also hopes that in the future other villages will emerge in Garut Regency that are able to produce quality products for export abroad. So that village communities can be empowered.
On the same occasion, IPB Chancellor Arif Satria, who initiated this event, said that villages are the hope and future of the nation. For this reason, his party will continue to instill optimism in village communities through technological touches and strengthening community character.
“What is a touch of technology? Yes, it is the latest 4.0 technologies, we provide semi-smart green house technology to farmers, so that farmers can also make good use of it, because now it can’t be helped, the use of digital technology must be developed,” he explained.
Arif said that his party would expand its partner areas. Not only in 53 villages in West Java, but it will also be expanded to several villages in other provinces.
“We have developed in East Java, plans (to develop) in Riau Islands, then also in North Maluku, and other provinces, now the governors are waiting for the presence of IPB, to accompany farmers to build villages with the latest technologies for export orientation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Expert Staff to the Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (UKM) for Inter-Institutional Relations, Luhur Pradjarto, said that his party is committed to improving the welfare of cooperative members, as well as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). On that basis, the party gives great appreciation for the release of this coffee export.
He added that coffee is a potential commodity that makes Indonesia proud. Because, almost every region has its own unique coffee taste.
“We appreciate the moment of releasing coffee exports for the community or millennial farmers in Mekarsari Village,” explained Luhur.
Head of CSR and Social Engagement Astra Triyanto also added that the release of exports this time was in line with the company’s ideals of making the nation prosperous. He revealed that there were four social contributions made by Astra to help Indonesia develop.
“We are strongly committed to providing benefits and helping develop Indonesia through four social contributions in the pillars of health, education, entrepreneurship and the environment,” he concluded.
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