South Sumatra (Sumsel) is increasingly pushing the potential of spices to become one of the drivers of the community's economy, one of which is by holding the 2022 Sumsel Spice Festival. The head of the South Sumatra Province PKK TP, Feby Deru, said the activity would also strengthen the preservation of South Sumatra's rich spices. is now increasing. "Of course this activity will continue to explore the richness of spices in South Sumatra," he said at the PTC mall yard, Saturday (29/10). South Sumatra in this activity is still focused on introducing spices from South Sumatra, providing information, educating the public about the various benefits of using spices in regional cuisine and also health products."Of course, our hope is that we can encourage community economic growth, and business actors will rise again, especially MSMEs engaged in spice-based businesses," he said. His party will later make these spices from South Sumatra more useful, especially in the culinary and health fields, because it has been proven that the results of spices have surged in interest during the pandemic. Currently, Feby continued, saying that the impact of the pandemic on economic conditions is starting to slow down, and more and more economic activists, especially the community, are developing. The UP2K development program to the village or sub-district level will still be intensified with more product marketing so that it does not exceed capacity.
"We also accommodate and market UP2K products and pay attention to the technical aspects of South Sumatran SMEs through WAROENG PEHKAKA," he said. In addition to the main activities, this festival is also supported by flora & fauna activities and activities involving youth and children. Today's spice festival was attended by regencies and cities in South Sumatra, women's organizations, MSME and culinary activists who are members of the ICSB in the South Sumatra region as well as support stands from our partners from the OPD. The activities carried out include, the spice bazaar of South Sumatran produce, spice plants that are traded, contemporary food, assessment of the best stands and entertainment. The Governor of South Sumatra H. Herman Deru said that although at the beginning he was pessimistic, he is now very proud to see the enthusiasm of the participants and the community is so high. He hopes that this festival can increase the knowledge of children and adolescents as well as the younger generation about the spices they often consume in the form of instant powder at this time. In addition to encouraging MSMEs to register their products with HAKI, he also directed MSMEs to improve product quality by registering SNI as is being socialized in the National Quality Month activity. In addition, there was the delivery of cinnamon seeds to 17 regencies and cities in South Sumatra.
