Increased unemployment is a threat to the economy of Bengkulu Province. This will happen if the oil palm and rubber factories close down as a result of the spread of the new coronavirus or Covid-19, as stated by an economic observer from Bengkulu University, Prof. Kamaludin.
It is known, as of April 1, PT Batanghari Bengkulu Pratama (BBP) located in Taba Terukung Village, Karang Tinggi District, Central Bengkulu, has issued an official announcement that the company’s operations are closed for an undetermined deadline. Not rule out the possibility of a similar policy will be followed by other rubber and palm oil mills.
Palm and rubber are the primary commodities in Bengkulu Province, in addition to coffee. With a total palm oil production of 259.6 tons, while rubber production is 7,819 tons. (Data based on Area and Production of Private Large Plantation by Location, Commodity and Crop Condition 2013, ed). Before the emergence of a new coronavirus outbreak in Indonesia, the labour force state of Bengkulu Province (BPS, February 2019), the Unemployment Rate (TPT) in February 2019 was 2.5%. The number is expected to continue to grow in line with the social distancing policy carried out by the government.
Especially in Bengkulu Province, residents who work in the agriculture, plantation, forestry and hunting sectors are still quite dominant. In the past year, the number has tended to increase. In February 2019, 465,900 people were working in the agriculture, plantation, forestry and hunting sectors or 45.99%. When viewed from the primary employment status, the population who worked in February 2019 worked more with the state of the workforce of 287,200 people or 28.34%.
“If the corona outbreak lasts a long time, the number will continue to grow. Each company will reduce the number of workers. One way to survive when layoffs occur is that the agricultural sector and MSME become an alternative. But this cannot necessarily be, “he continued.
Not only that, increasing the number of unemployed will impact on slow economic growth and rising inflation. In February 2020, Bengkulu City experienced Inflation of 0.09%. The Inflation in Bengkulu City in February 2020 was due to an increase in prices as indicated by the rise in most indices of expenditure groups. Namely the food, beverage and tobacco group by 0,19%.
“Although Bengkulu is currently in the green zone, the government policy that asks to stay at home, social distance makes people not dare to move. I am also afraid to leave the house, “he added. For those who have skills, the MSME sector is still hope.
“But this is not necessarily, because the problem is that this corona outbreak has caused no activity. A small amount of APBD cannot move. Who is shopping, even though the green zone. Look for each alternative to survive until conditions are stable, “he continued.
Kamaludin hopes that the Government can deal with the corona outbreak problem quickly. Specifically in Bengkulu Province. If not, the economy in Bengkulu Province will experience a slowdown. Previously the economy of Bengkulu Province in 2019 grew by 4.96%, slowing down compared to 2018, which rose 4.99%. From the production side, the highest growth was achieved by the business of providing accommodation and food and drink by 10.10% and health services and social activities by 8.73%. While in terms of expenditure, the highest growth was achieved by the LNPRT consumption expenditure component of 8.83%. Bengkulu Province economy quarter IV-2019 increased by 4.79 per cent when compared to quarter IV-2018 (y-on-y).
Farmers Have No Income
Meanwhile, one of the rubber farmers, Saupik Hidayat said that with the closure of the rubber factory, he chose to save the rubber that had already been harvested.
Not much different was conveyed by a rubber farmer, Wahono, a resident of Semidang Village, Lagan Subdistrict, Benteng Regency, who claimed to have lost his source of income.
He said the results of rubber leads indeed could be stored first. But the problem is, they have no source of income if they don’t sell.
Not much different from oil palm farmers, Yadi (35) a resident of Pondok Kelapa, Central Bengkulu Regency. According to him, farmers suffered losses when harvesting Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) since a month ago because the price continued to fall, now only Rp 500 per kilogram (kg).
Moreover, the palm oil mills are now closed so that farmers cannot sell their FFB, while the most harvested palm fruit lasts only three days.
Yadi admitted, they certainly were in a difficult position because indeed harvested oil palm fruit was also required to be cropped because if not it would affect the growth of other oil palm fruit. Meanwhile, when it is collected there is no place to sell it. ***
Harianrakyatbengkulu.com, 30/03/2020