IPB FGD Discusses Strengthening Coconut Supply Chain in South Minahasa
Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) held a multi-stakeholder discussion to address the strengthening of the coconut supply chain system and the development of sustainable partnership models between farmers and industry to support the downstream processing of the coconut commodity.
“The strengthening of the supply chain must be designed comprehensively to address market challenges while providing fair added value to farmers,” said Chief Manufacturing Officer of PT Sasa Inti, Snowerdi Sumardi, in an official statement on Friday.
The discussion, packaged as a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Strengthening the Capacity of the Supply Chain System and Partnership Models for Coconut Raw Material Provision through Pentahelix Collaboration,” was held in a hybrid format on Tuesday (7/4).
The forum discussed strengthening the capacity of the coconut supply chain, developing partnership models between farmers and industry, and opportunities for funding support from the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) for the coconut commodity.
North Sulawesi, particularly South Minahasa Regency, was noted as one of the national coconut production centres with a plantation area of 47,164 hectares and production of around 42,209 tonnes per year.
In the discussion, participants highlighted the increasing activity of processing industries in production centres, which triggers competition for raw materials, thereby impacting supply stability and price fluctuations at the farmer level.
Head of Stakeholder Relations at PT Sasa Inti, Rida Atmiyanti, stated that strengthening long-term partnerships is necessary to increase farmers’ harvest productivity and quality, while ensuring the continuity of raw material supply.
Meanwhile, Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture, IPB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Hariyadi, MS, said that strengthening the coconut supply chain requires a data-based and research-oriented approach to make policies and field practices more effective.
“Strengthening the coconut supply chain requires a data-based approach, research, and equitable partnerships,” he said.
Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Management, IPB, Prof. Dr. A. Faroby Falatehan, assessed that partnerships between academics and industry can enhance the competitiveness of the coconut commodity while sustainably improving farmer welfare.
The FGD involved academics, central and regional government, industry players, farmer groups, associations, and other stakeholders.