Government Plans to Regulate Kratom Trade

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said that the kratom trade, which is considered to benefit farmers in West Kalimantan Province, would be regulated.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Pemerintah Berencana Mengatur Perdagangan Kratom

KOMPAS/CYPRIANUS ANTO SAPTOWALYONO

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan replied to questions from the media at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday (27/11/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The government plans to regulate trade in the kratom plant. This plant is considered profitable for farmers in West Kalimantan Province.

"Yes, the job report includes, among others, a report on the type of kratom plants," said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan in response to questions from reporters about his meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday (27/11/2023).

Zulkifli arrived around 11.00 AM during the inauguration ceremony of the Governor of Riau and the swearing-in of the Acting Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission by President Jokowi. Zulkifli exited the Palace and headed towards his car parked in the Presidential Palace yard located on the side of Juanda Street around 12.30 PM.

Also read: Indonesian Kratom Enters the American Market

On that occasion, Zulkifli mentioned the economic benefits of kratom for farmers. "(Kratom plants) are profitable for farmers in West Kalimantan. So, their trading needs to be arranged," said Zulkifli as he hurriedly got into his car.

The kratom plant is beneficial for farmers in West Kalimantan. Therefore, it needs to be organized for trading purposes.

When asked about the economic value of kratom, Zulkifli has not yet given a definite answer. "Well, not yet, it's still being organized," he said.

SUCIPTO

A farmer walks through a kratom tree plantation (Mitragyna speciosa) around the Mahakam River basin in Liang Village, Kota Bangun District, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (26/11/2019).

At the beginning of August, the Presidential Staff Office stated that the management of the kratom commodity trade in Indonesia was still not running optimally. In fact, the plant which has the Latin name Mitragyna speciosa is considered to have extraordinary economic value and can provide a livelihood for the community, especially in West Kalimantan.

KSP is pushing the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to conduct research on kratom in order to provide a basis for determining its trade governance policy. At the time, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said that BRIN was completing its research on the kratom plant.

Also read: BNN Bali Pushes to Regulate Kratom as Class I Narcotics

The research in question covers aspects of content, ecology, and socio-economics. The results of the study will later serve as a basis for the government to establish policies regarding the commercial management of kratom.

"With this research from BRIN, we will have certainty about where kratom is located so that later we can determine policies regarding the kratom trade system," said Moeldoko after welcoming BRIN's arrival at the Bina Graha Building. , Jakarta Presidential Palace complex, Thursday (3/8/2023).

Kompas

Kratom farmers in Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan, are drying kratom leaves, Sunday (11/10/2019).

According to Moeldoko, BRIN needs to thoroughly research kratom, including mitigating the negative effects of the plant. "After this thorough research is conducted and the results are known, we (KSP) will hold discussions with various parties, including the Ministry of Health, BPOM, BNN, and others, to formulate a position on kratom so that it can be promptly reported to the President," explained Moeldoko.

Supply and demand

Previously, in a focus group discussion (FGD) regarding kratom commodity policy at the Bina Graha Building, Wednesday (26/7/2023), Moeldoko said, Indonesia is one of the kratom producing countries. “And, the American public's consumption of kratom is very high. "We want this supply and demand to have no obstacles," said Moeldoko.

Indonesia is one of the kratom producing countries. And, the American public's consumption of kratom is very high. We wantsupply and demand to have no obstacles.

The discussion was attended by representatives from the American Kratom Association, the Indonesian Purik Farmers Association (Appuri), the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Trade, BRIN, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).

Moeldoko said that so far fulfilling the demand for kratom from the United States is still experiencing obstacles because some say kratom is included in psychotropics. The Indonesian government, through BRIN, is currently researching the kratom content so that the position of the plant can be ascertained. "Our hope is how to synchronize it. "If this condition is still gray, it could be detrimental to our own community," said Moeldoko.

JUMARTO YULIANUS

Translation: The herbal tea product made from sapat leaves was made at the home of the husband and wife Edy Rakhman (37) and Siti Bariah (27) in Tanjung, Tabalong Regency, South Kalimantan, on Thursday (11/21/2019). Sales of the herbal tea product have declined since sapat leaves, also known as kratom leaves, were mentioned as being a class I narcotic, just like marijuana.

KSP has announced that a representative from the American Kratom Association, Charles McClain Haddow, has expressed his appreciation towards KSP for initiating an FGD on kratom commodity policies. He stated that the discussion provided a greater understanding of kratom and its benefits, which will enable the governments of Indonesia and the US to become more aware.

"The benefits of kratom will reach even more people. This discussion also opens up communication channels with science and is important for the economy, especially for Indonesian kratom farmers," he said.

On the same occasion, Appuri Chairman Ibrahim revealed that kratom production in West Kalimantan which can be exported reached 3,000 tons per month. This amount exceeds half of the world market demand, which is 5,000 tons. "We hope the government will provide a way out so that our farmers can prosper," said Ibrahim.