Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director, ICC, delivered a scientific oration on the topic: “The Role of Technology and Government Policy in Sustainable Coconut Development” in the 62nd Anniversary of Sam Ratulangi University, Manado. The occasion held on May 30th 2022, at the Auditorium of Sam Ratulangi University. She shared the challenges faced by the coconut sector globally, where there is an imbalance between the availability of raw materials for the coconut processing industry and the global market demand for coconut products. Global market demand for coconut products increases from year to year, while coconut production tends to decrease every year.
In Indonesia, low productivity is the result of aging plants and not being followed by a structured rejuvenation program. Other causes are pest and disease attacks, where lack of maintenance and the varieties used are not liable and susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses. Another challenge is to maintain reasonable price stability for farmers as producers of raw materials, and for the industry itself.
Another challenge is logistics problems which cause production costs to be higher, especially in isolated and difficult to reach areas. In addition, the global market demand for certified products is another obstacle in the Indonesian coconut sector. Several certifications like USDA Organic, Fair Trade, etc., make it difficult for MSMEs to be able to compete with large industries in the global market.
Dr. Jelfina said that the sustainable development of coconut needs to be carried out with the support of technology, funds, mutualism synergy, and multilateral collaboration between stakeholders as well as policy support from the government by prioritizing the coconut sector as one of the national priority programs.
Dr. Jelfina said that the FAO One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) program might be implemented at the provincial level by mobilizing each district to identify potential main products (One District One Priority Product/SKSPP) so that in one provincial area there are one or more integrated coconut industries. and integrated.
Present at this event, Rector of Sam Ratulangi University, Head of North Sulawesi Police Department, Head of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Agriculture, Regent of North Minahasa, Deputy Major of Tomohon, Deputy Regent of Minahasa, Deputy Regent of Mitra, Regional Leadership Coordination Forum of North Sulawesi, Chair of Manado Family Welfare Movement, Treasurer of the Association Alumni of the Faculty of Agriculture, Chair of the Sam Ratulangi University Senate and Chair of the Faculty of Agriculture Senate, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture Sam Ratulangi University, Professors of Unsrat as well as lecturers of the Faculty of Agriculture Sam Ratulangi University, Manado.