President Jokowi Asks Areca Nut To Be Indonesia's Leading Export Commodity

Screenshot of Indonesian President Joko Widodo giving a speech at the export release of 7 containers of areca nut in Jambi/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) hopes that areca nuts can become Indonesia's leading export commodity, with modern management and good management.

This was conveyed by President Jokowi in his remarks at the export release of 7 containers of areca nut, in Jambi, Thursday, April 7.

"We hope that this will become one of our leading commodities if we manage it with modern management, better management," said President Jokowi.

President Jokowi said the area of land planted with areca nut in Indonesia reached 152,000 hectares. A total of 22,000 hectares of which are in Jambi.

The Head of State said that areca nut is a commodity that is much needed in Thailand, Iran, India, China, and Pakistan.

"We hope that this will later become an export commodity in large quantities," said President Jokowi.

President Jokowi said that he had ordered Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo to prepare high-yielding varieties, which have good quality, so that Indonesia could export in larger quantities.

"Because last year our exports of (nuts) throughout the country amounted to more than IDR 5 trillion. This is a very large amount and is very good at providing income to farmers," said President Jokowi.