The Pasaman Regency Agriculture Service, West Sumatra, recorded that the total production of cocoa beans (theobroma cacao) until the fourth quarter as of December 31th, 2024 reached 12,388 tons. Head of the plantation division of the Pasaman Regency Agriculture Service, Tjatur Supriadi, in Lubuk Sikaping, Saturday said that cocoa bean production has increased since the second and third quarters along with increasing selling prices at the farmer level. "The price that continues to climb has made farmers increase cocoa production throughout 2024. The price of dry cocoa beans at the farmer level currently ranges from IDR 145,000 to IDR 150,000 per kilogram," explained Tjatur Supriadi.
Tjatur Supriadi said that the cocoa planting area in Pasaman Regency currently reaches 18,838 hectares.The average production is 882 kilograms per hectare. Currently, amid high prices, many farmers are increasing the area of cocoa planting. Because farmers are very profitable. He said that currently the number of Heads of Families (KK) as cocoa farmers in the area has reached 17,088 KK spread across 12 Districts. "All Districts are planting cocoa. The highest production volume is in Padang Gelugur District, as much as 2,349 tons with a planting area of 3,021 hectares cultivated by 2,127 farmers," he said. The second highest production is in Rao Selatan District, as much as 1,774 tons with a planting area of 2,492 hectares. Then followed by Simpati District, which produces 1,653 tons with a planting area of 2,583 hectares. He said that they will continue to educate farmers in increasing cocoa production starting from selecting quality seeds, handling pests and diseases and other assistance. "We also propose to the Ministry of Agriculture to provide attention to farmers in the form of program assistance for seeds and cocoa bean drying equipment. So that it can help farmers increase their production," he said. "Currently, we farmers are starting to feel the benefits with a price of IDR 150 thousand per kilogram. Because the high operational costs of cocoa farming can be covered," he concluded.
