Agro Smart

The Industry Ministry has vowed that starting this year, it will make more effort to raise the agroindustry's contribution to the Indonesian economy. The main problem seems to be the low capacity in processing agricultural products. Proportionally, exported processsed goods stand at 25 percent compared to 75 percent of farmers' raw materials. The segment of society most impacted by such an imbalance are the small farmers and fishermen, who fail to produce the required value added. But fishermen in Paotere, South Sulawesi and copra farmers in Tobelo, North Halmahera, have overcome this problem. With their innovative methods, they are able to process the products of their land, and as a consequence, improve the welfare of their families and their fellow villagers. Tempo English Edition reports from South Sulawesi and North Maluku.