Gayo cigar products with the brand or trademark Gayo Mountain Cigar (GMC) have been officially launched to the market through the Indonesian Coffee Gallery, Kampung Kung, Pegasing District, Central Aceh. Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki also believes that the presence of handmade or non-manufactured products will be the forerunner to the birth of another tobacco industry, especially in the Takengon area, given the current high demand for gayo tobacco. During his visit to Takengon, Central Aceh, Teten said that traditionally gayo tobacco is well known for its aroma and taste. This commodity also experienced a golden age in the 1980s, so he is optimistic that gayo cigars can be used as superior products. "This can be used as a superior product from the Central Aceh region. We must continue to promote superior products from regions like this," said MenkopUKM in a press release received in Jakarta, Monday (28/2). With a clear market demand, MenkopUKM said Gayo cigar products just need to be polished by strengthening branding and expanding the market. In this case, Teten emphasized that branding was carried out as an introduction. Thus, people do not think that Gayo's specialty products are only coffee and horticultural products, but also cigars. Meanwhile, in expanding the market, MenkopUKM directed that related parties should cooperate and communicate actively with all Indonesian embassies in many countries for the smooth export of gayo cigars. "Aceh's flagship product is not only horticulture but also cigars. So, we must dare to increase the market expansion of gayo cigar products," he said.

In more detail, the owner of GMC Salmy explained that the cigar products he has produced so far have spread to many regions in Indonesia. In fact, the cigars he created have started to penetrate the export market with shipments to Romania and plans to export to Singapore. Gayo Mountain Cigar itself, continued Salmy, was worked on by five employees with raw materials supplied by plasma farmer groups with a land area of up to 18 hectares from Bener Meriah, Central Aceh, and Southeast Aceh. "However, for quality development (of cigars), we still need a press and a tobacco drying device," said Salmy. Then regarding product characteristics, Salmy explained that Gayo cigars have various aromas and tastes, namely apple, mint, green tea, and others. As for the shape, cigars from the western tip of Indonesia are somewhat thicker than cigars in general. Another advantage of the gayo cigar, Salmy claims, is its ability as a therapy or treatment tool for drug addicts to get rid of dependence. In this case, Salmy said that the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) had visited to conduct research related to this matter. "In addition, the tip of the Gayo cigar can also be used as a beauty mask. Research and development of this Gayo cigar product will continue to be developed," he said.

Source: https://www.validnews.id/ekonomi/teten-masduki-cerutu-gayo-jadi-unggulan-aceh-tengah