President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the 51st International Coconut Conference and Exhibition (Cocotech) in Surabaya, emphasizing Indonesia's significant green economy potential. Accompanied by several ministers, Jokowi highlighted the vast opportunities within the green economy, particularly in the coconut sector. "Green economy represents a tremendous opportunity for Indonesia, especially with crops like cocoa, mangroves, vanilla, coffee, pepper, cloves, and notably, coconuts," Jokowi stated on Monday, 22 July 2024. He noted that Indonesia has 3.8 million hectares of coconut plantations, yielding 2.8 million tons annually, making it the second-largest producer globally. Significant production areas include North Sulawesi and Riau, with exports valued at USD 1.55 million, which could increase with focused efforts on the coconut industry. Jokowi stressed the importance of quality seedlings and proper maintenance for maximizing yield. He pointed out the need for skilled labor in coconut harvesting, suggesting efficient methods for picking coconuts, especially from shorter trees.
Furthermore, Jokowi highlighted the technological advancements in coconut utilization, such as converting coconut waste into bioenergy. "Coconuts can be developed into biofuel, and their usage is gaining interest internationally," he added. Jokowi urged the community to promote the potential of coconuts, expand networks, and seek new opportunities for coconut development in other countries. "With this, I officially opened the 51st International Coconut Conference and Exhibition (Cocotech)," he declared. During his visit to Surabaya, Jokowi was accompanied by State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Presidential Military Secretary Major General TNI Rudy Saladin, Presidential Guard Commander Major General TNI Achiruddin, and Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media Secretariat President M. Yusuf Permana. This initiative underlines Indonesia's commitment to leveraging its green economy potential and positioning itself as a leading player in the global market.
Source: https://www.detik.com/jatim/berita/d-7450882/jokowi-bangga-potensi-besar-ekonomi-hijau-di-indonesia
