Manado, N Sulawesi, Feb 10 (Antara) - North Sulawesi earned US$1.05 million in extra income from the exports of residue of copra early this year, a regional official said.
The province exported 6,300 tons of copra residue to India in January , secretary of the provincial trade and industrial office Darwin Muksin said here on Wednesday.
Darwin said India has so far been a potential market for residue of copra from North Sulawesi.
Previously residue of copra had no commercial value largely disposed of as worthless waste by the local coconut farmers.
North Sulawesi is the country`s largest producer of copra, which is generally processed as feed stock for cooking oil.
In India residue of copra is used as animal feed and fertilizer basic material, Darwin said.
He said the local farmers and exporters should take advantage of the opportunity to boost exports of the material to India, and other countries.
Exporters should find new markets for the new commodity, which is potential to improve the welfare of the farmers, he said.
He said currently the price of copra is relatively low not proportional with the production cost, therefore, the decline in income from copra exports could be offset with extra income from the export of the residue.
He said India is not the only export destination , but many other countries are potential markets if good quality could be maintained.
He said the government would continue to help in promoting export commodities from the province.
The province exported 6,300 tons of copra residue to India in January , secretary of the provincial trade and industrial office Darwin Muksin said here on Wednesday.
Darwin said India has so far been a potential market for residue of copra from North Sulawesi.
Previously residue of copra had no commercial value largely disposed of as worthless waste by the local coconut farmers.
North Sulawesi is the country`s largest producer of copra, which is generally processed as feed stock for cooking oil.
In India residue of copra is used as animal feed and fertilizer basic material, Darwin said.
He said the local farmers and exporters should take advantage of the opportunity to boost exports of the material to India, and other countries.
Exporters should find new markets for the new commodity, which is potential to improve the welfare of the farmers, he said.
He said currently the price of copra is relatively low not proportional with the production cost, therefore, the decline in income from copra exports could be offset with extra income from the export of the residue.
He said India is not the only export destination , but many other countries are potential markets if good quality could be maintained.
He said the government would continue to help in promoting export commodities from the province.