"An increase in the NTP can stimulate farmers to increase their purchasing power and productivity," Monoarfa stated in a discussion here on Friday.
He noted that so far, cost has been identified as a problem for the farmers, but there are several components that must be addressed, particularly the issue of the NTP.
"For instance, in January, the NTP was about 100; in February, the NTP was recorded at about 98; while in March, the NTP has declined. We do not want it to happen," he remarked.
According to Monoarfa, there are several government policies to increase the NTP, for instance, supporting agricultural production, post-production, trade, and storage.
Meanwhile, a researcher from the Research and Development Body at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LP3E Kadin) Suharyadi noted that several farmers became informal workers such as casual laborers or builders as the NTP is still low.
"Agriculture is the largest contributor to Indonesias labor sector, but the NTP and agricultural labor wages are very low. At the most, the NTP reached 105.24 in 2012," Suharyadi affirmed.
UU.A063/INE
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Editor: Suryanto
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