"If each plant is given special treatment, whether it is through the use of fertilizer or pesticides that conform to regulation, then of course, the result will be better as compared to those who need no special treatment," he explained.
Limpo delivered the statement on Thursday, February 24, during a conversation with farmers of Konaweha Village of Samaturu Sub-district, a place located 50 kilometers northwards of Kolaka District's capital city.
At the village, the minister also paid heed to the suggestions of cocoa farmers as well as their complaints regarding lesser production volume as compared to figures back in the 80s and 90s.
Leader of Konaweha Village's farmers association, Syamsul Bahri, noted that despite it not being the kakao harvest season, they still managed to generate that production, as they ensured special treatment for their plants by using organic fertilizers.
He remarked that the cacao plantation in Konaweha Village could serve as an example for other people, particularly cocoa farmers.
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According to Bahri, the villagers also expected the government to revitalize cacao plants in addition to addressing the issue of fertilizer supply, since lately, the cocoa farmers could barely find them.
"In Konaweha Village, in particular, cacao plantation spans 202 hectares, while currently, there are 189 hectares for cloves and 80.5 hectares for pepper," he elaborated.
He also stated that good pipe networks were required for irrigation in case of prolonged drought.
In response to this, Minister Limpo stated that Kolaka District had soil that was conducive for plantation and was different from some plantation soils across Indonesia.
Cacao takes a long time to mature before it can be harvested, so a multiple cropping method was applied as a solution to address the issue in terms of the production volume, he stated.
He urged the regional government and the agriculture office to formulate a concept to ensure optimal use of soil or plot that would ultimately help in improving the people's welfare.
The minister confirmed that there was no shortage in fertilizer supply owing to the government's allocation of Rp25 trillion (US$1.6 billion) in addition to the stock of 24 million tons of fertilizers to meet the needs across Indonesia.
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Translator: Abdul Azis S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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