First Export by Bumkam Tabyol: 11 Tons of Copra from Raja Ampat Reaches Surabaya Market

The Village-Owned Enterprise (Bumkam) Tabyol in Waigama Village, North Misool District, Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua, successfully shipped many copra to Surabaya, East Java. The shipment, conducted in Sorong on November 6, 2024, marked Bumkam Tabyol's first large-scale delivery, totaling over 11 tons of copra produced by local communities.

This milestone was achieved through collaboration between Bumkam Tabyol, the Southwest Papua Provincial Government, and Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), with support from the Blue Action Fund (BAF).

The Head of Agriculture at the Southwest Papua Department of Agriculture, Food, Marine, and Fisheries (P2KP), Abner Basna, praised the initiative and innovation by Bumkam Tabyol, commending their efforts to expand the copra market. He emphasized the importance of maintaining production, quality, and continuity as critical factors for investor confidence.

"The potential for the copra industry is significant in Southwest Papua, especially in Raja Ampat, Tambrauw, and Sorong. Therefore, the government will continue to support and facilitate small and medium enterprises through meetings and discussions with relevant organizations to address challenges and opportunities in developing the coconut business in the region," Abner explained.

Abdul Saman Rumadaul, Chairperson of Bumkam Tabyol, shared that previously, locally produced copra was only sold to wooden ships from Bitung, North Sulawesi, at IDR 8,000 per kilogram. The opportunity to send copra to Surabaya motivated the group to seek broader and more lucrative markets.

He expressed gratitude to the government, YKAN, and other partners for their support and guidance, which have enabled Bumkam Tabyol to collaborate with entrepreneurs outside Papua.

"We hope to penetrate international markets in the future, considering Papua's proximity to other countries and its abundant coconut resources," Abdul Saman said.

YKAN's Senior Manager for the Bird's Head Seascape, Awaludinnoer, reiterated YKAN's commitment to helping local communities develop coconut-based products with economic value. According to him, every part of the coconut has income potential, from the fruit and shell to the husk.

"Moving forward, YKAN plans to assist communities in managing coconut products by leveraging digital technology to expand market access. This effort will only be possible with the roles and support of partners, including the government and communities," said Awaludinnoer. "We hope the Southwest Papua Provincial Government will continue to facilitate and support communities in agricultural business development to improve local livelihoods."

Financial Support for Community Livelihood Enhancement

The Bird's Head Seascape (BLKB) in Southwest Papua is a global biodiversity hotspot, home to more than 600 coral and nearly 2,000 reef fish species. This rich underwater ecosystem is integral to the livelihoods of local communities, which rely heavily on marine resources and coastal ecosystems.

With support from the BAF, YKAN implements a program titled: "Protecting Globally Significant Marine Biodiversity in the Bird's Head Seascape, Papua, Indonesia: Establishing and Integrating Marine Protected Areas, Small-Scale Fisheries Management, and Enhancing Community Livelihoods."

As part of this initiative to improve community livelihoods, grants are provided to community groups, including business and biodiversity conservation activities across three BLKB regencies: Raja Ampat, Sorong, and Tambrauw.

"This financial support aims to bolster local enterprises and conservation activities, including those involving fishers, indigenous communities, village-owned enterprises, youth groups, women, and community monitors," said Muhammad Ilman, YKAN's Marine Program Director.

Ilman expressed optimism that the financial aid would enhance economic capacity and livelihoods in the BLKB area. "More than 350,000 people depend on this region, which is also rapidly developing into a tourism destination that significantly contributes to the national economy through tourism revenue," Ilman concluded.