RRI.CO.ID, Samarinda – The East Kalimantan Provincial Plantation Agency is shifting its focus toward the downstream sector by facilitating 30 fostered businesses to market processed plantation commodities.

This move aims to transform the local economy from raw material dependency to a value-added manufacturing base through the agency's official outlet, named Toko Kebun.

"Currently, there are approximately 30 business actors who routinely supply their products, totaling nearly 60 types of processed variants," said Taufiq Kurrahman, Head of Processing and Marketing at the East Kalimantan Plantation Agency, in Samarinda on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

To ensure these local goods can compete in modern retail environments, the provincial administration ensures that every product meets rigorous distribution standards. This includes securing Home Industry Food (PIRT) licenses and Halal certification.

As reported by Antara, this facilitation program serves as a government effort to increase the added value of plantation commodities while simultaneously boosting the long-term income of local farmers.

Taufiq emphasized the necessity of a mindset shift among farmers. He urged them to transition from merely selling raw materials to becoming producers of finished goods with significantly higher economic value.

The agency is also actively collaborating with various Regional Administration Organizations (OPD) and non-governmental institutions to broaden promotional reach through exhibitions.

Complementing this, Marinda Asih Ramadhaniah, a Policy Analyst at the East Kalimantan Plantation Agency, noted that the current marketing strategy is heavily focused on strengthening the local market within East Kalimantan.

"This step is taken to navigate the pricing challenges of local products, which tend to be higher than similar goods from other regions, such as palm sugar from Java," explained Marinda.

Despite the competition, several flagship commodities have successfully penetrated the local market, including Linggang Coffee from West Kutai and palm sugar from Penajam Paser Utara. These products are no longer limited to the shelves of Toko Kebun, but have expanded into modern retail chains such as Auto Swalayan, Planet Swalayan, and Yugo Market.

A consignment system has been implemented to assist growers residing far from urban centers, ensuring their products can still reach a wider consumer base. Furthermore, every product package entering the modern market is marked with a special Toko Kebun sticker as a guarantee of authenticity and quality.

"This labeling is crucial for consumer protection, especially for products that are susceptible to adulteration, such as black pepper and palm sugar," concluded Marinda. ***