Jokowi delivered the statement during his visit to Kampung Jeruk, Liang Melas Datas, Karo District, North Sumatra, on Friday. He observed the orange farms in the area to gauge their potential as well as inspected the reparation of damaged road infrastructure in person.
"I came from Toba here to see the road. I saw that the production in Karo might need a little assistance to improve the quality of production, first and foremost. Thereafter, the second aspect is that the fertilizer is better if it is organic," the president noted in a statement received here on Friday.
President Jokowi immediately gave directives to Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo via phone, to provide assistance to farmers and supply organic fertilizers to them.
Karo District is well-known for being one of the production hubs of the commodity.
Oranges from Karo District have been marketed to various cities, such as Bandung, Jakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya, and even penetrated the Southeast Asian market, such as Malaysia and Singapore.
Jokowi deemed the orange farming area in Karo District to hold promising potential. However, several aspects still need to be improved, right from the cost structure to branding.
The president has instructed Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno to improve the packaging and branding of every commodity produced by farmers in the country, including oranges in Karo District, in order to boost their selling value.
President Jokowi and his entourage were welcomed by the residents, who sang the national anthem all the way from the helipad to the location of the event.
Several school children were also seen waving small red and white flags in their hands when the entourage passed in front of them.
The president's arrival was a follow-up to a meeting with six representatives of Liang Melas Datas residents at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on December 6, 2021.
Apart from voicing their aspirations, the representatives also gifted three tons of oranges to Jokowi that were brought using a truck.
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Translator: Mentari D G, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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