To strengthen the direction of national research development in the coconut and cocoa sectors, the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Development of the Research Roadmap for Indonesia’s Coconut and Cocoa Industries from Upstream to Downstream, 2025–2035” on Wednesday, May 15, 2025. Held in a hybrid format from Bintaro, South Tangerang, the event was opened by Kabul Wijayanto, Director of Planning and Fund Management at BPDPKS, who emphasized the importance of a concrete, applicable, and sustainable research roadmap. This roadmap is expected to serve as a strategic guide for stakeholders in addressing challenges across the entire coconut and cocoa value chains, through data-driven approaches, technology integration, and cross-sector partnerships.
The FGD gathered diverse stakeholders including government ministries, technical agencies, farmer associations, industry players, research institutions, and academics, fostering a collaborative spirit in shaping an inclusive and impactful research agenda. The discussion featured presentations outlining sector challenges, such as declining cocoa productivity, aging plantations, and land reduction in coconut farming, with proposed solutions like improved seed development and integrated industry support. Experts highlighted the need for innovation, sustainability, digital transformation, and export-oriented strategies. The event concluded with a presentation of the Coconut Downstream Roadmap 2025–2045 and a call for the research roadmap to become a visionary and practical guide for building a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive coconut and cocoa industry over the next decade.
