To Develop Coffee is Tobasa Government’s Commitment
"Tobasa Government has commitment to develop coffee", said Vice Regent of Tobasa Mr. Liberty Pasaribu to Mr. Sabam Malau in a friendly interview at Liberty Pasaribu’s office in Balige.
Photo : Liberty Pasaribu (Vice Regent of Tobasa Government) and Sabam Malau (Chairman of NSCF-North Sumatra Coffee Forum). Photo taken at Liberty Pasaribu’s office in Balige.
Liberty Pasaribu, SH, MSi is Vice Regent of Tobasa Government , and Dr. Sabam Malau is Chairman of NSCF-North Sumatra Coffee Forum. Tobasa Regency is one of 26 regencies of North Sumatra Province of Indonesia. Tobasa area consists of forestry, farm land, and a part of Toba Lake (the largest lake of the world). The followings are questions and answers in the interview.
Sabam Malau: How important is coffee for the people of Tobasa?
Liberty Pasaribu: The current price of coffee bean at growers level can help a little bit to increase volks welfare. However, we hope the coffee bean price will increase much more. Many of Tobasa volks are coffee growers. In several subregencies of Tobasa Regency, almost all people are coffee growers.
Sabam Malau: What are your plans concerning coffee in Tobasa?
Liberty Pasaribu: Tobasa government has commitment to develop coffee. As the new Vice Regent of Tobasa Government, I have been considering that coffee will be one of our priority besides cacao with hope that the coffee bean price will not decrease. I do need good cooperation in the future with NSCF-North Sumatra Coffee Forum such as to provide the best and true seedlings. I always ask whether we are able to establish a buffer body which will buy coffee if price goes down significantly. As you know, coffee price is the main key that will affect people and government whether or not to enlarge planting area of coffee.
Sabam Malau: What do you say to investors?
Liberty Pasaribu: We need investors. We welcome investors. We will do and give whatever we can do and give to investors who want to invest their money here in Tobasa.
Sabam Malau: Thank you Sir for your availability for this interview amids your very busy time.
Liberty Pasaribu: You are welcome. I thank you, too. I appreciate you for having come here that locates around 300 km from your home.
Note: Amids the interview, Liberty Pasaribu asked Sabam Malau whether NSCF can quarantee the price of coffee. Sabam Malau informed him that NSCF has no such a duty. Liberty Pasaribu also asked Sabam Malau whether NSCF is able to provide the best and true seedlings. Sabam Malau answered that NSCF has competence for it, however NSCF will do it only if Tobasa Government will demand on it and take over the cost.
At the end of interview, Liberty referred to Head of Forestry and Estate Department for technical information and investation. The interview result can be read on the page Tobasa Coffee.
Kind regards,
Dr. Sabam Malau
NSCF Chairman