S Solok Focuses on Cocoa Development

Padang Aro, (Antara Sumbar) - The Government of South Solok District, West Sumatra focuses on the development of cocoa in Sangir Jujuan Sub-district and will serve as a pilot in that area.

"Now, people's interest in developing chocolate is low enough so we are focusing on one of the sub-districts whose farmers are most ready to be piloted," Head of Plantation of South Solok Office, Wandra Agriculture stated in Padang Aro on Tuesday.

He hopes that the cocoa demonstration garden can increase community's interest to develop cocoa to support the production and community's economy.

Throughout 2017, the local government provided cocoa seeds to five groups of Nagari Padang Gantiang and Lubuak Malako Sangir Jujuan Sub-districts.

The number of seeds distributed 13,500 stems with 2.5 tons of fertilizer.

Cocoa development at Sangir Jujuan also works with Walhi.

Five groups in Sangir Jujuan will be fostered until its marketing so that the results are visible and can evoke the spirit of other communities for cocoa cultivation.

"We build them to market. We do not only give seeds and then let it go," he said.

Assistance for groups in Sangir Jujuan was given after the study and they were considered most prepared, he added. (cha)

Editor: Vicha Faradika