Central Maluku Prepares Rp640 Billion to Build Two National Strategic Projects for Coconut and Nutmeg Industries

Ambon (ANTARA) - The Central Maluku Regency Government (Pemkab Malteng) has prepared a budget of Rp640 billion for the construction of two National Strategic Projects (PSN) in the form of coconut and nutmeg processing industries in the Awaeya Plantation area, Liang Village. “The two PSN consist of an integrated coconut processing factory valued at Rp500 billion and a nutmeg processing factory worth Rp140 billion,” said Central Maluku Regent Zulkarnain Awat Amir in Ambon on Saturday. He explained that the construction of these two projects is the local government’s effort to support President Prabowo Subianto’s food self-sufficiency programme through the downstreaming of plantation commodities and the enhancement of domestic agricultural production. “In addition, it is to increase the added value of flagship commodities while opening new job opportunities and strengthening the country’s position as a major global agrarian player,” he stated. According to him, through this synergy, PTPN acts as a bridge between the potential of local farmers and modern industrial technology as well as access to global markets. “The planned groundbreaking for these two National Strategic Projects will take place in one to two months and is also expected to be attended by President Prabowo,” he added. He further noted that the integrated coconut factory to be built will have a processing capacity of up to 300,000 coconuts per day, with products including medium chain triglycerides (MCT), coconut flour, and activated charcoal targeting both export and domestic markets. Zulkarnain emphasised that the project is not only oriented towards industrial development but also towards community empowerment and economic welfare improvement. “This is not just an industrial project, but also an effort to open up as many job opportunities as possible for the community,” he said.