Minister of Agriculture (MENTAN – Menteri Pertanian) Andi Imran Sulaiman, in collaboration with the Kabupaten Penghasil Kelapa (KOPEK), has reached a strategic agreement to accelerate the development of coconut downstreaming and its industry nationwide. This initiative primarily aims to enchance the added value of coconut products, thereby positively impacting the economic welfare of farmers.
Mentan Amran highlighted that Indonesian coconuts are currently experiencing significant global demand. China and Malaysia, among other nations, stand as key importers of this commodity from Indonesia. This surge in global demand has also triggered substantial increase in coconut prices, escalating from approximately Rp 1,300 per kilogram to a range of Rp 4,000 to Rp 7,000 per kilogram. This development indicates a promising outlook for Indonesian coconut farmers.
In response to these market trends, Ministry of Agriculture is committed to promptly intensifying the development of the coconut industry, from the upstream to the downstream sectors, with a particular focus on major production centers. KOPEK is also urged to adopt a more proactive role in advancing this downstreaming program, including efforts to attract investment.
Furthermore, as part of a strategy to optimize land productivity and efficiency, Mentan Amran advocates for the implementation of intercropping systems in coconut plantation areas. He recommends cultivating other food commodities such as rice, corn, or cocoa between coconut trees, provided they are suitable for the prevailing agro-climatic conditions. This approach is expected to diversify farmers’ incomes while simultaneously strengthening national food security.
Mentan Amran affirmed that this audience with coconut farmer representatives serves as a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto’s directive during a limited meeting on May 23. The President had emphasized the acceleration of national downstreaming projects and other priority initiatives across various strategic sectors, including agriculture. He stated, “Upon the President’s command, we will commence the construction of this downstreaming industry God willing, starting this year.”
by:
Briandy Effendi
Sales Executive
WhatsApp: +62 812-9777-8860 | E-Mail: sales@centralcoconut.co.id
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