Jakarta Maritime, Agriculture and Food Security (KPKP) Agency handed over Horticultural Production House on Jalan Kerja Bakti, Kramat Jati Urban Village, East Jakarta to Mustika farmer group (Poktan).

Jakarta KPKP Agency head, Suharini Eliawati conveyed, Horticultural Production House was a gift from Ministry of Agriculture to Jakarta KPKP Agency.

"Poktan Mustika is chosen through fairly strict selection. I hope friends in Poktan Mustika can sincerely accept this facility and make it a part of the community's economic growth," she stated, Wednesday (11/24).

She explained that the purpose of Horticultural Production House is to provide facilities for processing horticultural crops in form of production house that supports sanitation and hygiene in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Besides, it also encourages farmer groups to produce goods from horticultural crops with good sanitation and hygiene standards.

"This Horticultural Production House also improves quality and competitiveness of farmer groups to increase their income. It is also used as joint kitchen for business groups whose production meet BPOM standards," she said.

Her side expected the Horticultural Production House to overcome fluctuating price of horticultural processed products in the surrounding area, increase competitiveness of horticultural processed products through post-harvest handling and horticultural processed products using proper technology, and strengthening farmer group in developing business related to horticultural processed products.

Furthermore, this Horticultural Production House is expected to improve economy of Poktan members and encourage business growth in processing agricultural crops, especially related to horticulture in Jakarta.

"We, Jakarta Government through KPKP Agency, are grateful for the trust given by Ministry of Agriculture. Hopefully we can improve this assistance because we cannot run alone, collaboration is mandatory," she mentioned.