W. Sumatra Succeeds In Increasing Cacao Production

Padang, Dec 21 (ANTARA) - West Sumatra has succeeded in increasing its cacao bean production to an estimated 61,000 tons in 2012 from 47,045 tons in 2010. The increase in production followed expansion of plantations from 101,014 hectares in 2010 to 121,000 hectares in 2012, West Sumatra governor Irwan Paryitno said. The expansion of cacao plantations is part of a medium term development program of the province in the plantation sector from 2012-2015, Irwan said here on Friday. Cacao processing factories have also expanded such as in the regency of Padang Pariaman and in the city of Payakumbuh producing cacao powder , cacao candy, which are sold in the province and other region including in Java. The governor said the expansion of cacao plantations have contributed to improving the welfare of the farmers in the province. Indonesia is the world`s third largest producer of cacao after the Ivory Coast and Ghana in Africa.