President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that the government will prepare for the industrialization of dwarf coconut trees (Cocos Nucipera L.) planted throughout Indonesia.
“The most important aspect is that after planting, preparations are also being made for industrialization because this coconut can be used to produce palm sugar, and it can also be used for obtaining coconut oil. Now, this (industrialization) is prepared here, in every village where there are large quantities of dwarf coconuts,” President Jokowi stated on Thursday in a press statement broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the Presidential Secretariat.
While reviewing the dwarf coconut plantation in Sanggang Village, Sukoharjo, Central Java, President Jokowi stated that a dwarf coconut tree could produce between 140 and 180 coconuts after 2.5 to three years.
“Yes, if we plant one million nationally, then just multiply the result,” he noted.
According to the president, the industrialization of dwarf coconut trees has at least two main benefits.
“First, there is additional income for the community. Second, dwarf coconut trees can be planted on unproductive lands, in yards, in gardens, etc,” he added.
The president reiterated that Sukoharjo had received an allocation of 110 thousand dwarf coconut seedlings out of a total of 200 thousand for Solo, Central Java.
A total of 44 thousand other dwarf coconut seedlings were allocated for Boyolali and the remaining 46 thousand for Karanganyar as part of the national program to plant one million dwarf coconuts trees that will also be continued in several other provinces.
Earlier, in a press statement for a similar activity in Giriroto Village, Boyolali, President Jokowi noted that the dwarf coconut planting initiative was part of the efforts to prevent food crises from occurring by using abandoned land.
During the working visit to Central Java Province, his hometown, President Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Iriana, Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and District Head of Sukoharjo Etik Suryani.
Source: Antara News