Natural Indococonut Organik (NICO) believes that coconut is a unique natural product with lots of benefits. With its vision of becoming a producer of healthy natural coconut products, as well as promoting natural coconut plantations, PT NICO also contributes to turning the wheels of the community’s economy. Using the best-selected coconuts in Indonesia, PT NICO is here to open market opportunities for coconut farmers in Indonesia. See inspirational stories from Suratman and Manajek, coconut farmers in Meranti district, Sumatra.
According to the official website of the Meranti Regency Government, the formation of Meranti Regency began with the division of Bengkalis Regency in 2009. This area, which is located in the outermost part of Riau Province, is known for its natural resource potential, both in the oil and gas and non-oil and gas sectors. In the non-oil and gas sector, Meranti district has the potential for several types of plantations, one of which is coconut.
Suratman, a coconut farmer who has his own coconut plantation for the last 5 years, saw the potential for coconuts, which are increasingly selling around Riau. Previously, Suratman had experience as a coconut laborer in a plantation. Suratman works on his own garden which covers 2 hectares by planting bananas as a distraction. In caring for his garden, Suratman is assisted by his wife. Suratman takes care of his garden starting from clearing weeds, weeding, and keeping the garden area clean.
This garden owned by Suratman does not use fertilizers or other chemicals during the process of caring for it. The coconuts from the Suratman plantation will be harvested every 66 days or about once every 2 and a half months. When the harvest season comes, Suratman will employ farm laborers to harvest with a profit-sharing system of 1/3 of the sales generated.
Just like Suratman, Manajek is one of the farmers in Tanah Merah Village, Meranti Regency, who has a garden with an area of around 5 hectares which he cultivates himself from planting, tending to harvesting with coconut plants of around 650 coconuts on his land.
Manajek coconut plants are now 10-15 years old. Through its coconut land, coconuts can be harvested once every 3 months in one season. When the harvest season arrives, Manajek will employ local people to help him harvest the coconuts. With the help of a workforce of 10 people, the coconuts harvested every day during the harvest season can reach around 5,000 – 8,000 coconuts. Through these results, farmers can share 50% of the profit for each sale obtained to meet the needs of their respective families. Apart from working in the garden, this 55-year-old man also usually works as an additional farm laborer in other plantations that need his strength.
Suratman and Manajek managed to prove that success can be achieved by becoming coconut farmers, and even have savings for their old age. Through the stories of Suratman and Manajek, PT NICO will continue to support coconut farmers in Indonesia for the development of coconut-based products that benefit the wider community.
