TP PKK Chair: Belu Candlenut Oil is a Champion for Family Economic Resilience

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chair of the Tim Penggerak Pemberdayaan dan Kesejahteraan Keluarga (TP PKK) Tri Tito Karnavian stated that candlenut oil produced by communities in Belu Regency, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), has export potential that can drive family economic resilience. To realise this, TP PKK held training on the production and management of kunir oil at the Belu Regent’s Residence. “This training is conducted to support family economic resilience. The central government hopes that the welfare of the people in Belu Regency can improve through the development of various regional potentials it possesses,” Tri said in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday. She added that Belu Regency is known for its abundant candlenut production. Interestingly, candlenut is part of essential oils that have the opportunity to become export products. According to her, if this local product is developed, candlenut oil production in Belu Regency has significant economic potential, while also being able to mobilise housewives. “There may be enhancements from relevant agencies later. Hopefully, the Chair of TP PKK for Belu Regency can request the ministry on how this can be developed into a flagship local PKK product,” she said. “One source of family income is making oil oneself. If sold by mothers on TikTok, using TikTok but without rolling on the street. This has the potential to get orders from all over Indonesia,” she added. She mentioned that another uniqueness in managing candlenut oil in Belu Regency is the production process that is still done organically without chemical additives. In this way, candlenut oil has various benefits, especially for hair care, such as making hair healthier, more fertile, and shiny. “Hopefully, it will also become a flagship for Belu Regency. Where all people have the opportunity to produce candlenut oil. Because candlenuts are easy to obtain, no need to bother buying from outside the regency,” Tri said. She continued that by producing candlenut oil, the community has opportunities to earn income. Although not immediately large, this is believed to drive the economy through the development of regional flagship products in Belu Regency. “May this activity be beneficial and not only done by the Chair of TP PKK for Belu Regency alone, but also to our children, neighbours, and our environment,” she concluded.