A LOT of Banyuwangi residents depend on tobacco for their livelihoods. That is based on data owned by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Plantation (Disperhutbun) Banyuwangi. Tobacco production continues to increase from year to year.
In the year 2015 the production of tobacco produced by farmers reached 1.631 ton. This amount is generated from an area of 992 hectare. Head of Forestry and Plantation Office of Banyuwangi, Ikrori Hudanto, said that the production of tobacco produced by farmers in Banyuwangi continues to increase.
"Year 2014 production only 908,41 ton,” he said. even though, light him, the area of land planted with tobacco is not too much. In the year 2014 tobacco area 926 crocheter. In the year 2015 rise to 992 hectare.
“So, there was an increase in production but a slight increase in the area of land,” clear. Regarding the discourse on increasing the benchmark price that has been echoed by the central government, according to Ikrori, This policy is a plus and minus. Only, in theory, if the price goes up, the impact will be felt by farmers.
In theory, when the price of cigarettes soars, then the demand is reduced. If factory production is reduced, then the level of purchase to farmers also decreases. “Buyers decreased, factory production fell, loss farmers,” lkrori said.
Meanwhile, if the price of cigarettes really goes up, the impact can be directly felt by farmers. However, a number of tobacco farmers welcomed the policy. If the price of cigarettes soared, it can have a positive effect on tobacco farmers. Basically, Tobacco prices can creep up.
“If cigarettes are usually sold Rp 15 thousand rose to Rp 50 thousand, I'm sure farmers like me are happy too,” Sunaryo said, tobacco farmer from Sragi Village, Songgon District, yesterday. Currently, tobacco prices are still stable. It means. there is no sign that tobacco prices will rise.
“If the price of cigarettes goes up, tobacco must go up,.” he said. Based on his glasses, the government's policy of raising the price of cigarettes is full of consideration. As has been circulated in the media, The increase in cigarette prices aims to reduce the number of students who smoke.
“It's good to reduce students who smoke,” clear. So far, his tobacco is not sold to factories but sold to the market. There are already special collectors who become customers. “If the price of cigarettes goes up, people will switch to rolling their own cigarettes. That benefits farmers like me,” he explained.
Residents who used to buy cigarettes will switch to buying tobacco. Because, the price of finished cigarettes is much more expensive. “Logically, farmers actually benefit greatly if the price of cigarettes is increased,” the paper. For example, it's clear, the current price of tobacco is Rp 100 thousand per kilogram. If raised 100 percent only, the farmers benefit greatly.
“Because tobacco is special for the lowest class of people. The finished cigarettes are for the upper middle class,” he concluded. (radar)
