In Indonesia, a remarkable transformation is underway. An authorized coconut variant endorsed by the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, the Kelapa Genjah Entog Kebumen is setting the new standards for coconut sugar production. Kelapa Genjah Entog Kebumen stands out for its impressive early fruit-bearing capability. By the age of just 3 years, these trees begin producing fruits, and by 4th year, they are ready for sap tapping. This variant has significantly shorter height than the current coconut variants used for coconut sugar production. Their maximum height peaks at 3-4 meters where they only 1-1.5 meters within the first 6 years. Hence, this characteristic offers a significant advantage and promises to revolutionize the industry by enhancing productivity, safety, and inclusivity.
To harness the potential of Kelapa Genjah Entog Kebumen variant of coconut plant, Fairtrade NAPP Indonesia has partnered with two coconut sugar Small Producer Organizations (SPOs), namely, Koperasi Nira Kamukten and Koperasi Karya Manis Sejahtera. Together, they are developing demonstration plots to evaluate the productivity and quality of coconut sap from this shorter variant. Funded by the Fairtrade Germany Fund and its Fairtrade premium fund, Koperasi Karya Manis Sejahtera, in collaboration with Fairtrade NAPP, has successfully established a 4-hectare demonstration plot. This plot features 1,000 certified seedlings of Kelapa Genjah Entog Kebumen variant. The shorter height of these plants ensures safer sap tapping conditions as it is more accessible to younger generations. In addition, it opens up opportunities for women to participate in the process. This inclusivity is crucial for the long-term sustainability of coconut sugar production.
The Demonstration Plot: A Milestone in Coconut Agriculture in Koperasi Karya Manis Sejahtera
For the first phase of the plan, the demonstration plot has been established in the Small Producer Organizations, Koperasi Karya Manis Sejahtera. Fairtrade NAPP with the support of Fairtrade Germany 2022, sourced and distributed 1000 certified seedlings of this pant while supporting the land preparation of demonstration plot by donating amount of fund that were used to pay 5 workers that worked on the land preparation. Meanwhile, for the land of the demonstration plot, the organization is renting 4 hectares of village’s land through the village level government, the government officers of Somorejo Village through a formal notarial agreement. This rent is funded by the organization’s Fairtrade premium fund for the next 25 years. This legal arrangement underscores the project’s commitment to long-term sustainability and community involvement.
The first batch of 500 seedlings arrived in April of 2024. On the same day, Mr. Maesuri Karim, the director and owner of UD. Berkah Tani, the certified grower of Kelapa Genjah Entog Kebumen, conducted a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training session for the producers. Delegates from Koperasi Karya Manis Sejahtera gained valuable insights into cultivating this plant variant. Following the training, the first seedlings were planted. By mid-May 2024, the remaining 500 seedlings were delivered and planted that marked the successful establishment of the demonstration plot.
Managed by the organization, the demonstration plot is expected to yield sap by the end of 2027, with the trees reaching an ideal tapping height of around 150 cm. This innovation promises a safer and more efficient production model, as farmers can operate without climbing tall trees. The proximity of a centralized cooking facility will further streamline the process. Hence, this will allow a quicker and more efficient coconut sugar production.
“On behalf of Koperasi Karya Manis Sejahtera, I would like to thank NAPP and FT Germany for supporting us in developing the demonstration plot of Kelapa Genjah Entog Kebumen cultivation. We do really hope that members of Koperasi Karya Manis Sejahtera can learn from this demonstration plot and be inspired to also cultivate the same variant of coconut. We hope that this experiment would be successful and bring many expected benefits to our members”
-Rini Kristyawati, Chairwoman of Koperasi Karya Manis Sejahtera.
The introduction of Kelapa Genjah Entog Kebumen is not just an agricultural advancement. It’s a step towards a more inclusive and sustainable future for coconut sugar farmers. By leveraging the unique characteristics of this shorter, faster-maturing coconut variant, Fairtrade NAPP and its partners are pioneering a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable model of production. This initiative not only promises to boost the productivity and quality of coconut sugar but also ensures safer working conditions and broader participation among farmers, including women. As these demonstration plots flourish and yield results, they create a brighter future for coconut sugar farmers. Hence, this paves the way for a resilient and prosperous agricultural community in Indonesia.
