Antara News·Indonesia·Monday, September 28, 2026 at 05:49 PM

Govt to aid 100-hectare cocoa plantation in Southwest Papua

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Yuvensius Banafanu, Uyu Liman

Sorong, Southwest Papua (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is providing 100,000 quality cocoa seedlings and labor subsidies to support development of a 100-hectare cocoa plantation in Southwest Papua Province.

Kardiyono, head of the Ambon Center for Plantation Seed and Plant Protection (BBPPTP) under the Agriculture Ministry's Directorate General of Plantations, said here Monday that the initiative aims to boost upstream plantation production.

"For Southwest Papua, we have development programs for cocoa, nutmeg, and palm oil. For cocoa specifically, we are starting with 100 hectares, which we can expand further," Kardiyono said.

He made the remarks during a meeting with the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and the Southwest Papua provincial government.

The program aims to strengthen the agricultural sector by providing residents with quality seedlings and involving them in planting and maintaining the trees.

To accelerate the project's implementation, the regional government must first identify suitable land and prepare prospective farmers to manage the crops, Kardiyono said.

"Once the farmers and locations are ready, the central government will execute the program," he said.

He said plantation development requires strong farmers' cooperatives, continued agricultural assistance, and the use of local seed nurseries.

The Agriculture Ministry will work with regional authorities to oversee the process, from seed sourcing and production through distribution and planting.

"We will monitor everything from seed production to planting, ensuring an abundant supply of raw materials that can eventually supply local processing industries or factories in Southwest Papua," he added.

In addition to cocoa, the ministry is exploring other crops, including nutmeg and coconut, based on each district's agricultural potential and local seed availability.

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