Jokowi launches e-commerce for farmers

JAKARTA. The government is introducing an online marketing system (e-commerce) for farmers, as part of the ‘Synergized-Actions for the People Economy’ program that will be launched by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in Brebes, Central Java on Monday.

Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara said e-commerce would assist farmers in marketing their agricultural products, as well in cutting the long distribution chains of the agricultural products from the farmers to consumers.

"It will make the prices cheaper," he said as quoted by Kompas.com on Monday in Cirebon, West Java, before departing to Brebes for the launch.

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said his ministry had estimated that the online system would benefit farmers and consumers. He announced an optimistic projection that the farmers would see a 15% increase in their agricultural product profit margins.

As for the consumers, he continued, they would see at least a 15% decline in the prices of agricultural products. "To see the more exact impact, we will conduct periodic evaluations," he said.