Gov't backs Maluku coconut and cassava downstreaming initiatives
Indonesia's agriculture minister has approved coconut and cassava downstreaming plans in Maluku, a move the province says should raise value addition, create jobs and support poverty reduction.
Indonesia's Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has approved the development of downstream coconut and cassava processing in Maluku province. ANTARA reported that the initiative is intended to raise the added value of farm commodities while supporting poverty reduction in the region. The decision followed a meeting in Jakarta between Maluku Governor Hendrik Lewerissa and officials from the agriculture ministry.
Lewerissa said the minister approved coconut commodity development and downstream processing in Southeast Maluku, the Tanimbar Islands, the Aru Islands and Southwest Maluku. He described the move as strategic, arguing that coconut is closely tied to local livelihoods and carries significant economic potential. Provincial authorities expect the program to open new business opportunities and create jobs.
The article says many agricultural products in the region are still sold as raw materials, limiting the economic value retained by local communities. Maluku's government wants producers to benefit not only from cultivation but also from processing. That explains the focus on building a fuller regional value chain rather than leaving commodities at the raw-material stage.
Alongside coconut, the province is proposing cassava downstreaming in South Buru District through an integrated model that runs from cultivation to processing industry. Lewerissa said the area has suitable land for large-scale cassava plantations linked to processing facilities. He identified cassava rice and ethanol as examples of higher-value derivative products that could support national food and energy security.
According to ANTARA, the minister also responded positively to requests for agricultural tools and machinery needed to implement the program. Maluku is now seeking cooperation with state-owned enterprises, private companies and investors to strengthen the downstream ecosystem. Lewerissa said that collaboration is needed to increase production, create added value, generate employment and accelerate poverty reduction in the province.