Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, H.E. Hon. Airlangga Hartarto encourages the use of smart farming technology to boost added value and productivity of the coconut industry in his opening remarks at the 49th International COCOTECH Conference and Exhibition, which was held virtually on 30 August 2021 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
He said the agricultural sector has an important role in Indonesia's economic growth and in 2020 it contributed to a GDP of 13.70%, the second largest after the manufacturing sector. This sector is one of the most resilient during the pandemic, where the agricultural sector still grew positively by 0.38% (YoY) in the second quarter of 2021. Coconut commodity is included in the agricultural sector which is one of the important export commodities in plantation crops.
H.E Minister Airlangga also hopes that member countries of the International Coconut Community (ICC) can continue support sustainable coconut development in their respective countries considering the large contribution of coconut not only from the economic aspect but also from the social and environmental aspects.
This is very important because more than 95% of coconut ownership are small farmers whose existence needs attention. H.E Minister Airlangga emphasized that the Indonesian government will continue support the coconut sector and the ICC secretariat in Indonesia.
He said "Coconut must be included in the global value chain to obtain optimal commodity value in international trade. I hope this conference and exhibition can inspire all coconut-producing countries to get higher added value from downstream the coconut industry and increase productivity by using technology," . The 49th International COCOTECH Conference and Exhibition, that is held virtually from 30 August-2 September 2021 in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest international conference dedicated solely to coconut development conducted biannually. The Conference theme is “Promoting Smart Farming, Eco-Friendly and Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Coconut Development”.
In her welcome speech, Dr. Jelfina, Executive Director, ICC, addressed, “The conference is strategic efforts of building the coconut industry that will focus on optimizing economic growth and considering long-term impacts on social, and environmental factors. The coconut sector has contributed up to 3.5% of the nation’s gross domestic product of coconut-producing countries, and the sustainable development goals. Productive deliberations are expected from the conference and come up with policy recommendations that would be implemented for supporting the resilient and sustainable coconut sector.”
COCOTECH Conference will present seven sessions in which 26 eminent speakers will share their idea, knowledge, and experience with the latest technologies and development on coconut production particularly planting and replanting systems, varietal improvement, use of selected local elite planting materials and hybrids, coconut-based farming systems, integrated pest, and disease management, post-harvest processing, and technology updates in the manufacture of emerging coconut products for the domestic and export market, cost-effective technologies on integrated coconut processing, and marketing strategies. More than 600 participants from 36 countries are registered.
A virtual exhibition is also included, in which 45 exhibitors from 9 countries, from micro-enterprises to big industries, suppliers, coconut associations, and coconut research institutes participated in the exhibition providing the latest global coconut industry trends, innovative technologies, and marketable products and machinery. It is also served as a one-stop platform for MSMEs, big coconut industries, and suppliers to build brand proximity, network, and conduct business.