Agricom.id, JAKARTA – The slow economic progress nationally because of Covid-19 pandemic does not make the agriculture sector decrease. It is proven that based on central bureau of statistic in the written information, Tuesday (18/8), the agriculture sector in July 2020 increased 24,10 percent (m to m) or 11,17 percent (y to y). The increasing was the most significant sector of oil and gas, processing, and mining sectors.

According to Head of Public Relation and Information, Ministry of Agriculture, Kuntoro Boga Andri, this is the evidence that thee agriculture is the strategic sector in the economic development nationally.

The increasing, he continued, is still dominated by the horticulture, and plantation sub sector. The two contributed well, covering the aromatic and medical plantations and spices that the people whole over the world need.

“We have swift’s nest, coffee, vegetables, fruit, and forests production (non – wood), and cocoa seeds. It is clear that the agricultural exports were good in July and the good news in this situation,” he said, as in the official written statement to Agricom.id.

For information, the trade balance in July 2020 was surplus US$3,26 billion. It happened for the increasing gexports from June 2020 reaching 14,33 percent. While the imports decreased 2,73 percent.

Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo thought that the agriculture is one sector that could provide massive employment because it has open market access.

In addition, Indonesia, he continued, is as the agrarian country within good sunshine and enough water.

The increasing agricultural exports showed that this sector still normally operate and keeps producing though it is in critical situation,” SYL said.

Back to Kuntoro, he said that the agriculture labors’ salary positively increased too about 0,20 percent in July 2020. It happened for the massive harvests.

“The agricultural labors’ salary is Rp 55.613 per day which was Rp 55.503. The real salary of the labors increased 0,32 percent to be Rp 52.549 because of the deflation in the villages,” he said.

He also mentioned that the increasing agricultural labors in July 2020 happened for the deflation 0,13 percent in July 2020. It means that the real salary of them increased about 0,32 percent.

"The nominal average of the labors’ salary was from Rp 89.737 to be Rp 89.800. the real salary increased 0,17 percent, from Rp 85.415 to be Rp 85.565," he said. (A2)