REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MAMUJU -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has assured that he will set aside Rp1.2 trillion to rehabilitate cocoa plantations in order to make Indonesia the world's largest cocoa producer.

"In the next three to four years, Rp1.2 trillion will be allocated to rejuvenate and rehabilitate the cocoa fields," he remarked during a meeting with the cocoa farmers in Saletto in the district of Mamuju, West Sulawesi, on Thursday (6/11).

In connection with that, the president has urged the minister of agrarian affairs to immediately streamline the certification process for the people working in cocoa plantations.

Jokowi said he would also invite banks to offer credit financing for promoting the development of cocoa plantations and would urge the cocoa industry to invest in cocoa-producing regions to offer added value.

President Jokowi revealed his target of making the country the largest cocoa producer in the next three years.

"We hope that in the coming years, we will surpass Ivory Coast and Ghana (cocoa producers), and so, the farmers must also work hard," he emphasized.

Before meeting the farmers, President Jokowi, as part of his visit to Sulawesi since Wednesday, had inspected an irrigation facility in Beru-Beru, Mamuju, during which he symbolically handed out Healthy Indonesia Cards, Smart Indonesia Cards, and Family Welfare Cards to several people.

The new president, in Jakarta, had recently launched a nationwide distribution of the cards to help the poor avail free education and health services.

During his visit to Saletto, President Jokowi also distributed the cards to several locals.

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