W Sulawesi Targets 1.5 Ton Cacao Per Hectare

Mamuju, W.Sulawesi, Sept 26 (Antara) - The provincial administration of West Sulawesi is aiming to produce 1.5 ton cacao per hectare by 2016, Head of Crops Processing and Marketing, Plantation Office, Abdul Waris Bestari said here Friday. He added that to accomplish this target, cacao clusters will be established in every district in West Sulawesi. The cacao productivity will be improved by following the replanting-with-the-shoots method. In order to educate the local cacao farmers about the new cultivation technology, the office will organize a training program that would tell them about the various stages of cacao farming, from planting to the post-harvest production stage, Abdul said. "Besides showing them how to use the technology, we will also explain how to improve the cacao beans to meet the national standard quality, or SNI, so that their products are rapidly absorbed by the markets. We are also encouraging the farmers` institutions to work harder and stay stronger to achieve this target," he added. According to the statistical data obtained from the provincial administration, there are 128,094 cacao farmers managing 172,768 hectares of cacao plantation in West Sulawesi. "About five percent of the cacao plantation was turned into oil palm plantations. Improving the productivity and the quality of the products are expected to reflect in the welfare of the people, especially the farmers," Abdul said.