VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia's farm exports rose to Rp359.5 trillion in the year ending October 31, 2020, reflecting an increase of 11.6 percent year-on-year, Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo said.  

"The plantation sub-sector contributed most to exports in the agricultural sector at Rp326.86 trillion, or 90.92 percent," he said during the commemoration of the 63rd Plantation Day here on Thursday.

According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), farm commodities were exported to China, India, the United States, and several European countries.

The agri exports mainly comprised palm oil, rubber, cacao, coconut, and coffee.

The minister said the plantation sub-sector made a real contribution to state revenue because the development of plantation commodities drew attention from all stakeholders.

"The commemoration of Plantation Day must encourage our spirit and innovation to play a role in national economic recovery," he remarked.

In addition, it will hopefully create a collective momentum to formulate strategies for optimizing plantation exports in the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, the minister said.

Demand for plantation commodities, one of the country's foreign exchange-earners, has continued to increase despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Limpo noted.

He said the plantation sub-sector should be accorded serious attention by all stakeholders, including state-owned companies and private companies, to aid the eventual creation of farm corporations. (Antaranews)