PT TWC Supports Carica Industry Recovery in Wonosobo

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko distributed partnership funds for micro and small business funding (UMK) amounting to IDR 625.000.000 to two farmer groups in the Wonosobo area, Central Java, Sunday (5/6/2022). The assistance was handed over directly by PT TWC Corporate Secretary Emilia Eny Utari accompanied by Plt TJSL & SME Founding Manager Ismiyati.

This partnership fund is distributed to potato farmers and home industry players of candied carica products which are culinary souvenirs typical of the Dieng tourist area, Wonosobo, Central Java. This assistance, which is in accordance with the sustainable development goals (TPB/SDGs) of the environmental economic pillar, is carried out to support MSME players who are starting to get back on their feet to face the post-pandemic recovery period.

"This is a form of TWC's concern for fostered partners who continue to strive and move during this recovery period. Hopefully this assistance can help as business capital to continue to innovate to improve the quality of existing products," explained Corporate Secretary of PT TWC Emilia Eny Utari.

The head of the farmer group, Suwoto, said that the soft loans for fostered partners were a breath of fresh air for them in the production process and catching up during the pandemic.

"Thanks to the loan, we can start production again. We also want to hire more workers to help with carica production. Yesterday we stopped it, considering that carica production plummeted during the pandemic. Hopefully, with this assistance, we can start moving again," he said.

The pandemic has had a major impact on the carica industry in Wonosobo. This is because the Dieng tourist destination is closed and empty of visitors. In addition, shipping outside the region has also stopped. Business turnover has plummeted, resulting in many businesses going bankrupt.

"From 30 members of the farmer group, now only a dozen are still surviving, the rest have closed down. Thank God, at the beginning of this year, since PPKM began to be reduced, demand has recovered and increased," he continued.

One of the members of the farmer group, Astiniasih, said that currently her business turnover is gradually improving. Her Simpang Mas shop, which is located on the main road to the Dieng tourist area, Wonosobo, has been bustling again since the beginning of 2022.

"Alhamdulillah, it is gradually getting better again. The peak was yesterday in the month of Ramadan, which although not yet normal, the condition is much better than during the pandemic," he said.

As a TWC fostered partner, Suwoto, who represents his farmer group, hopes to be given training to improve product quality and to improve product marketing so that it is better absorbed into the existing market.

"We hope that in the future we can be fostered so that we have better products and reach a wider market," he explained.

PT TWC hopes that in the future, fostered partners can reach a wider market by utilizing digital services. "We encourage fostered partners to enter the digital marketplace, because the market is wide open on that platform. Hopefully in the future we can facilitate the wishes of these partners," concluded Emilia.