Presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo has suggested expanding tobacco downstream research to open opportunities for other uses of the plant besides cigarettes

“Besides cigarettes, what can it be used for? Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or anything else; and that is why we discuss tobacco downstream research, [tobacco] can be processed into anything,” said Ganjar during his visit to Empatlima tobacco warehouse in Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara News.

Ganjar said that, as a leading commodity in Indonesia, tobacco should receive the government’s attention.

“It needs research facilities to develop. Don’t shut it down, so people can talk about [tobacco] – [what are the] good seeds, the best way it is produced, the benefits,” said Ganjar.

Ganjar was visiting the area to hear the aspirations of farmers, entrepreneurs and the public about tobacco. He said he hoped the tobacco farmers in Klaten could learn from other farmers in different regions in Central Java, who export high-quality tobacco as one of their main agricultural commodities.

After meeting tobacco farmers in the morning, Ganjar led a discussion with tourism activists and village-owned enterprises. The former Central Java governor then attended a gathering with a group of millennials, Generation Z youth, social media influencers and young volunteers in Grha Bung Karno Hall in Klaten.

Ganjar ended his campaign activities in Klaten with an internal meeting with his campaign team and legislature candidates at Pendopo Tirtokusumo Grha Bung Karno.

Meanwhile, on the same day, his running mate Mahfud MD visited Tahfidz Qur’an Nurul Hidayah pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Sukabumi Regency, West Java. Later, Mahfud went to Surabaya to attend a Christmas celebration at Graha Bethany Nginden.

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