JAYAPURA - Acting Papua Regional Secretary Derek Hegemur said that cocoa development began to lead to developing results.
This was marked by the first export of cocoa beans weighing 10 tons through Jayapura Port, Monday (6/5/2024) morning.
"This export is a good collaboration and cooperation between the government at the central and regional levels with farmers."
"This is a sign that the results of the cocoa development program in Papua Province are starting to appear," explained Secretary Hegemur after releasing cocoa bean exports to Olam Food Ingredients in Surabaya, East Java.
According to Derek, the Papua government will increase the production of other superior commodities that have promising market prospects. Besides cocoa, other commodities such as vanilla, coconut, sago and palm oil also have the potential to be exported.
"Meanwhile, the effort is carried out through appropriate and integrated development programs from upstream to downstream. So that plantations and producing areas can get added value," he said.
He added that the Papua government will also encourage programs to increase community business productivity. The goal is to improve community welfare and regional economic progress.
"Because the export of cocoa beans is an important moment to motivate the government and farmers. So that it will further improve performance in managing natural resources in Papua," concluded Derek.
Meanwhile, the exported cocoa beans come from farmers in Jayapura Regency. Seven farmer groups are members of the Nawa Tunas Baru Farmer Group Association (GAPOKTAN).
"We are encouraging the expansion of the cocoa area in Jayapura Regency to increase the amount of production. Because the sustainability of production is important, if it is available, it can be exported at any time, at least one container can be exported,"said the Head of the Papua Plantation and Livestock Office, MP Koibur. ***