Tobacco's contribution to the country is not only state revenue from excise on tobacco products, but also has a major impact on community empowerment. This means that tobacco is an agricultural commodity that has a positive impact on the surrounding community. Chairman of the Tobacco Farmers Association (APTI) Soeseno said tobacco is an agricultural commodity whose role has succeeded in empowering the community. "Tobacco is even the main contributor to regional development, for example, Medan through Deli Tobacco and Jember through Besuki Na Oogst Tobacco," he said at the Tobacco is Our Legacy discussion, in Jakarta, quoted Monday (21/2/2022). Soeseno said that from generation to generation, tobacco has become the main source of income that improves the welfare and independence of the people in Jember, and even contributes to the performance of national exports. Tobacco is a leading commodity and Indonesia is one of the world's well-known producers. Jember's best quality tobacco, such as Kasturi tobacco, is exported to Japan and Europe as the main raw material for cigars. "Tobacco is the only hope for the economic support of the Jember people. Tobacco has also succeeded in elevating the status of women to become independent figures," he said.

Cigarette Roller
 
The tobacco products industry, which employs many women workers as hand-rolled kretek cigarettes (SKT), is a clear example of the role of tobacco in encouraging women's independence. Women workers with limited educational and economic backgrounds are empowered by the presence of the SKT industry. "Tobacco creates job opportunities and makes women with minimal educational background-independent, which so far have not been prioritized and are difficult to absorb by other industries," he said. "Tobacco is an industrial sector that accepts women without seeing or assessing diplomas, literacy, and writing abilities. They are accepted as independent workers and earn enough income with the ability to sort tobacco, many of whom are even the breadwinners of the family," he continued. With the large contribution of tobacco farming and the SKT industry to community empowerment, including women, it is only natural that all levels of society should work together to maintain the sustainability of tobacco farming and its industry. So that tobacco as a nation's heritage can continue to play a role in the life and welfare of the community, especially women who are involved in the supply chain.

Source: https://www.liputan6.com/bisnis/read/4893308/apti-tembakau-jadi-kontributor-utama-pembangunan-daerah