Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo said that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the agricultural sector continued to record outstanding performance. The value of Indonesia's agricultural exports for the January-October 2021 period reached Rp 518.85 trillion, an increase of 47.37 percent over the same period last year. In 2020, the value of agricultural exports reached Rp. 451.77 trillion, an increase of 15.79 percent compared to 2019 of Rp. 390.16 trillion. Now, in 2021, even the increase is very significant. "Exports increased by 15.79 percent, namely Rp. 451.77 trillion, we often jump like this in the conditions of Covid-19. In 2021, it will increase again by Rp. 518.85 trillion," said Minister Syahrul in an OJK webinar, Tuesday (28/12).
The contribution of agricultural export value for the January-October 2021 period came from fresh fruits as much as 7.78 percent and processed fruits by 92.22 percent. Meanwhile, the contribution of agricultural export value per sub-sector is mostly supported by plantations 93.20 percent, livestock 4.41 percent, horticulture 1.57 percent, and food crops 0.82 percent.
Farmer's Welfare Increases
Along with this good agricultural performance, the farmer's exchange rate (NTP) also increased by 107.18 percent as of November 2021, compared to October 2021's NTP of 106.67 percent. "The farmer's exchange rate rose to 107.18 as of November. The national plan is to reach 105 percent in 2024, in two years we will achieve the challenge of Covid-19 triggering agriculture and the results are like this," he said.
Reportedly, the Ministry of Agriculture will re-export. In which his party received an export contract from the One Day with Indonesian Coffee, Fruits & Floriculture (ODICOFF) and ornamental plants activities amounting to Rp 3.1 trillion. "I got a contract from One Day with Indonesian Coffee, Fruits & Floriculture (ODICOFF) and ornamental plants of Rp 3.1 trillion from outside requests," concluded the Minister of Agriculture SYL.
