Under the plan, 200 hectares of coconut plantation and 50 hectares of cassava plantation will be developed to support the national food security, the head of the city maritime affairs, fisheries, agriculture and forestry office, Suhartini said here on Sunday.
The coconut plantation will be developed in the hinterland and the cassava plantation in Rempang and Galang Islands starting this year, she said.
Based on the results of several studies, the central government has come to the conclusion that the municipality`s coastal areas are suitable to cultivate coconut and cassava trees, she said.
Batam currently relies on the supply of the two commodities from other areas in the country, she said.
"Under this program, local farmers could hopefully meet the city`s need for coconuts in the next 10 to 20 years," she said.
Meanwhile, the development of cassava plantation is expected to increase the local people`s income because this commodity can be diversified into a variety of foods, she said.
"Cassava can be processed into crispy chips, cake and so on so it will create business opportunity for small and medium businesses," she said. (S012)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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