National Workshop on Seed Garden Development: A Strategic Step to Revitalize the National Cocoa Sector
Bogor, 6 August 2025 – National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), along with the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership (CSP), held a National Workshop for Cocoa Seed Garden titled “Cocoa Seed for People’s Prosperity” as a part of an effort to disseminate knowledge on seed garden development to the cocoa sector’s stakeholders. The event seeks to strengthen the national economy and increase synergy between stakeholders in the cocoa sector.
Widiastuti, S. E., M.Si, Coordinating Deputy for Food and Agricultural Businesses, Coordinating Ministry of Food Affairs (Kemenko Pangan), said during her opening “Currently, the government is focusing on strategic steps to accelerate the competitiveness of agricultural products such as palm oil, sugar cane, cocoa, coconut, rubber, coffee, gambier, and horticultural products such as fruit and medicinal plants. Besides being a strategic national commodity, cocoa also provides a livelihood for millions of farmers in Indonesia."
Moreover, Widiastuti also emphasizes that the government will continue encouraging increased competitiveness of cocoa products through strengthening the upstream sector, which includes increasing the productivity and quality through rejuvenation of cocoa trees and encouraging the use of superior seeds. She also emphasises the importance of processing and downstreaming value-added products as well as implementing technological innovations.
Dr. Setiari Marwanto, S.P., M.Si., Head of Research Center for Agricultural Crops, BRIN, explained during his opening speech, "All elements within the cocoa sector are mobilizing to capitalize on the significant momentum to revive Indonesia's cocoa industry. BRIN remains committed to supporting Indonesia's development, including in the cocoa sector."
BRIN and CSP have collaborated to develop two superior varieties, RHS1 and RHS2. These two varieties were designated as new superior varieties by the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture (Kepmentan) of the Republic of Indonesia in 2024. This workshop aims to disseminate knowledge regarding the development of parent plantations and superior cocoa varieties, as well as to encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration.
"This is our time to discuss and find solutions to ensure quality and affordable cocoa planting materials for farmers," said Ismet Khaeruddin, Chairman of the CSP General Membership Council, at the opening of the workshop. Ismet also emphasized that 99% of cocoa farmers in Indonesia are smallholders who need technical support to increase declining national productivity.
"Over the past five years, our cocoa production has continued to decline. About a decade ago, we were ranked third in the world. Now, we're ranked seventh," said Ismet. He also emphasized that many cocoa plantations have not yet reached their full potential. This problem can be solved through replanting. However, it relies on the availability of quality, appropriate, and affordable planting material.
CSP is a forum for public-private collaboration and actively promotes cocoa development in Indonesia and supports the Indonesian cocoa sector in the international market. The CSP was established to enhance communication, coordination, and collaboration among public-private stakeholders directly involved in sustainable cocoa activities in Indonesia, with the aim of benefiting all stakeholders in the cocoa sector.
In addition to the workshop, this event was followed by the CSP General Members Meeting, which serves as a forum for annual evaluation and the determination of the organization's strategic direction for the coming year. The workshop and general meeting are expected to serve as a momentum to strengthen the commitment of CSP members and partners to support the inclusive and sustainable development of the Indonesian cocoa sector.
The workshop featured speakers from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, BRIN, the Coffee and Cocoa Research Center (Puslitkoka), and cocoa farmers. They delivered enriching discussions, sharing technical insights, field conditions, innovation opportunities, regulatory challenges, and opportunities for the Indonesian cocoa industry.
This event is expected to be a catalyst that will transform the Indonesian cocoa sector, strengthening cross-sector partnerships to ensure farmer welfare and the sustainability of the national cocoa industry.