Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) encourages the use of technology in the downstreaming of coconut commodities to generate added value for the country.
"We can utilize technology for coconut downstreaming," he stated at the 51st Cocotech Conference in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday.
He highlighted that technology is currently being used to process coconut commodities into bioenergy and bioavtur.
However, the use of technology to downstream coconut commodities remains a homework to be implemented nationwide.
To this end, the head of state called on players in the coconut commodity industry to optimize technological advancements to improve and develop the downstreaming efforts.
He noted that coconut commodities have promising potential for the country, with 3.8 million hectares of coconut land and production reaching 2.8 million tons annually.
This makes Indonesia rank second worldwide in terms of coconut commodities, with the provinces of North Sulawesi and Riau being the regions with the highest potential for producing coconuts.
"We were able to generate exports amounting to US$1.55 billion. This is a huge number with the possibility to grow if we are being serious," he emphasized.
According to Jokowi, the use of technology in the downstreaming of coconut commodities can also help to create more product variations and be accepted by foreign countries.
To support this program, the Trade Ministry and the International Coconut Community (ICC) held the 51st Cocotech Conference.
The president stated that this conference was important for Indonesia to introduce the huge potential of coconuts, expand networks, and pursue new opportunities to develop the domestic coconut industry.
"I invite the international coconut community to collaborate with us to develop a sustainable coconut industry that supports the world's green economy," Jokowi remarked.
According to the president, Indonesia can make the most of the green economy by developing the coconut commodities industry and other commodities such as vanilla, cocoa, coffee, and pepper.
