Coconut Day: International celebration of the 'prince of palms'

By Muhartoyo

JAKARTA (JP): In beauty and utility no other tree can surpass the coconut tree. It is the most extensively grown and used nut in the world and it is the most important palm. Its uses are many and varied. It provides the basic needs of millions of people, such as food, drink, shelter, fuel, furniture, decorative materials and much more. The coconut tree is often described as "the tree of life", "the heavenly tree", "the tree of abundance", "nature's supermarket" and "the prince of palms".

The coconut tree is grown in about ninety countries along the humid tropical belt. According to the (Asia & Pacific Coconut Community Statistical Yearbook 1997) Indonesia has the largest coconut growing area in the world, amounting to 3.76 million hectares with the total production of 2,583,000 metric tons of copra, which is equivalent to the total export value of US$487,883,000 per year.

Prior to 1990 coconut was the main source of cooking oil in the country. The increased demand for cooking oil encouraged the use of other raw materials, such as palm oil which has become the main source of cooking oil. In 1997 the demand for cooking oil was 2.61 million tons, while in the year 2000 it is expected to increase to 3.1 million tons. This increase must be prepared for by improving both oil and coconut palm production and productivity.

Unlike oil palm, coconut palm is not only a source of cooking oil. Not a single part of the coconut palm is thrown away. Coconut trees along the coasts of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, and other islands, have lured overseas tourists to visit the country and bring badly needed dollars to Indonesia. Inspired by the beauty of coconut trees Ismail Marzuki, a famous Indonesian composer, wrote the song Rayuan Pulau Kelapa (The Appeal of Coconut Islands) which is a familiar song to Indonesian ears.

Although Indonesia has the largest coconut area, in terms of production it is ranked second to the Philippines. This level of production can be further enhanced by a number of strategic measures.

First, the implementation of a replanting program. A large number of coconut stands in Indonesia are old and weak. The productivity of old coconut trees are usually low. However, the replanting program must be designed in such a way that it will not adversely effect the income of the coconut farmers. It takes several years for coconut trees to yield nuts. If the replanting program is not well designed, it will substantially reduce the coconut farmer's income and they will eventually discard the program. The government could also impose regulations stipulating that every coconut tree felled must be replaced by a new one. This kind of regulation is important to preserve the number of coconut trees and the level of production. This has been successfully implemented by the government of the Philippines.

Second, the provision of high yielding coconut varieties. The replanting program will not improve the productivity if the high yielding coconut varieties are not used. Coconut is a small holders crop as 98 percent of coconut plantations belong to small holders. Improved production and productivity will consequently increase these small holders incomes.

Third, integrated pest control management. It has been reported that a number of diseases have attacked Indonesian coconut palms, such as Natuna Wilt, Kalimantan Wilt, and a leaf yellowing. These diseases have substantially affected the coconut production and have made coconut farmers suffer great losses (about 40 percent of the total revenue). This unfortunate condition often forces coconut farmers to abandon the crops and replace them with others, such as banana and coffee. An effective and well organized pest control management is badly needed to combat these diseases.

Besides these efforts, a continual campaign to improve awareness of the importance of this crop is also needed. Coconut is an economically important crop. It is the second most important social commodity after rice. At least three million small holder families and hundreds of thousands of workers are dependent on this crop.

Realizing the importance of the coconut tree crop, at the 35th session of its plenipotentiary delegates held in Vietnam last year, the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) declared Sept. 2 as Coconut Day. It is to be celebrated every year by all member countries.

APCC is the leading intergovernmental organization of 13 major coconut producing countries, accounting for over 90 percent of world's coconut production and exports of coconut products. The full member countries include: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

As one of APCC member countries, Indonesia can also make use of the Coconut Day celebrations to increase awareness of the importance of the coconut tree and to help focus national and international attention on this crop. In addition, the Coconut Day celebrations will focus on the potential of the coconut tree in alleviating poverty, it will aim to encourage investment in the sector and will promote development of the coconut industry. The celebration will be coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and will involve relevant institutions such as Ministry of Forestry and Estate Crops and Ministry of Cooperatives and Small-scale Entrepreneur Development.

A number of events have been lined up for the celebration. These include, a bazaar and exhibition on Sept. 2 at the lobby of the Ministry of Forestry building in Jakarta; a workshop on the coconut industry and a mini display on Sept. 7 at the Ministry of Trade and Industry office in Yogyakarta; a technology exhibition of research and development and a consultation forum on Sept. 16- 18 at the Ministry of Trade and Industry office in Surabaya.

It is highly expected that the Coconut Day celebrations will encourage all parties involved to strengthen the role of the coconut industry and to improve the coconut farmer's welfare. Coconut Day is definitely worth celebrating.

The writer is a documentalist of the Asia & Pacific Coconut Community.