Indonesia targets higher farm incomes through market access

Chili peppers, cassava and coconuts are among the agricultural commodities receiving attention in Indonesia's efforts to improve incomes in disadvantaged communities.

Earlier this week, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman met Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar to discuss closer cooperation between agricultural production and rural economic development.

The government has identified 88 districts and cities as priority areas for poverty reduction. Pilot locations will be selected according to local needs, commodity potential and available funding.

Rather than focusing exclusively on increasing harvest volumes, the ministries want to connect growers with processing, packaging, distribution and sales opportunities.

Coconut processing was highlighted as an example of how agricultural raw materials can be transformed into higher-value products reaching export markets.

The initiative also emphasizes developing commodities suited to individual regions, with market demand and commercial opportunities taken into account when designing support measures.

source and photo: hortikultura.pertanian.go.id