Coconut cultivation management in Central Maluku

Abstract

Currently, coconut is still managed and produced as black copra due to farmers’ limited human resources and capital. In addition, the condition of coconut plants is also old and unproductive. It is time to manage coconut plantations for maximum quality and quantity of production. The utilization of coconut products is not only to primary products but was developed into secondary products. Central of Maluku is one of the centers for plantation commodities in Indonesia. The most dominant plantation commodities in Central Maluku are coconut, nutmeg, cloves, and cocoa. Demand for these 4 commodities competes with each other. Coconut is one of the sources of life for the local community. The management is very traditional, especially downstream, to produce black copra and coconut oil. Coconut oil was produced for local consumption, and part of it was sold to the local market. Meanwhile, mainly copra is produced to supply industrial demand. Therefore, good management practices of coconut cultivation are needed, including improving good coconut cultivation and coconut farming diversification horizontally and vertically.