REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesia eyes Germany to expand its market of organic agricultural products. Germany is considered having double influences as it can open access to European Union (EU) market.
"We will be proud if our products enter Germany," Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Rusman Heriawan, said.
He said that Germany has a good market of organic products as the country has long implemented free chemical agricultural system. Hence, it opens an opportunity for Indonesia, as an agrarian country, to enter German market.
Minister of Agriculture Suswono said Germany purchased Indonesian agricultural products, such as organic rice, with good price. Europe is also interested in tropical fruits such as mangosteen.
Government has prepared a contract with some investors and allow them to become major players
in horticulture sector in Indonesia. Hence, Indonesia hopes the products will enter German market easily.
Yet, analyst suggests that government must re-think its plan, considering that most of domestic farmers have not developed organic agriculture and ths sector spends big amout of money.
"Once we have good agricultural system, then It will be easier to implement organic agriculture," Agricultural Analyst, Annas D. Susila, said on Sunday.
