Vice President Gibran Plants Superior Cocoa Seedlings in West Papua

Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming participated in planting superior cocoa seedlings in South Manokwari, West Papua, signaling a government commitment to bolstering the nation's cocoa industry. The initiative at PT Ebier Suth Cokran plantation is part of a broader effort to strengthen plantation potential and accelerate national cocoa rehabilitation.

Febri Sumbung, Director of Marketing and Communications at PT Ebier Suth Cokran, highlighted the Vice President's visit as a testament to the government's dedication to a productive and sustainable national cocoa industry. "The Vice President emphasized that Indonesia has great potential to become a major global cocoa player, but this must be built through increased productivity, quality, downstream processing, and environmentally friendly plantation management," Sumbung stated, quoting the Vice President.

Rakabuming stressed the importance of developing the cocoa industry beyond mere production increases. The efforts must also consider environmental sustainability and the well-being of indigenous communities. He specifically noted the need for rehabilitating plantations using dynamic agroforestry systems and planting shade trees. Strengthening farmer capacity is also crucial for Indonesia's cocoa industry to compete in a global market increasingly demanding sustainability and traceability.

The planting ceremony involved the introduction of superior Trinitario clone cocoa varieties: CKR-40, CKR-13, CKR-14, and CKR-12. This event symbolizes the acceleration of the Ministry of Agriculture's cocoa plantation rehabilitation program for 2026 in South Manokwari. The program allocates 2,000 hectares for cocoa development, with 1,800 hectares managed by local farmers and 200 hectares by the Ebier Suth Cokran Cooperative.

The development plan includes establishing sustainable agroforestry-based cocoa plantations, comprising 1,200 hectares for cocoa cultivation and 800 hectares designated as conservation areas. Currently, approximately 88-90 percent of PT Ebier Suth Cokran's workforce consists of indigenous Papuan people, who are involved in all stages of the operation.

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The Vice President emphasized that Indonesia has great potential to become a major global cocoa player, but this must be built through increased productivity, quality, downstream processing, and environmentally friendly plantation management.