NIAS UTARA | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor, Bobby Nasution, is preparing to build a coconut processing center in Nias Utara. The North Sumatra Provincial Government plans to use the facility to increase the added value of coconuts as an agricultural commodity while strengthening Nias Utara's position as one of the key production centers in the Nias Islands.
Bobby presented the plan on Friday, August 7, 2026, during the "Sapa Daerah" event in Lauru Fadoro,
Nias Utara. The
North Sumatra Provincial Government plans to begin construction of the
coconut processing center later this year, with a budget of around Rp2 billion.
The facility will not only process coconuts into copra. The production of charcoal from coconut shells will also be developed at the site. The initiative is expected to provide local communities with greater economic benefits from the yields of their plantations.
The
North Sumatra Provincial Government will equip the processing center with various machines and supporting equipment. These will include copra production machines, a solar dryer, a coconut shell peeling machine, sorting machines, and other supporting equipment.
Nias Utara Targeted as a Production Center
Bobby said the provincial government is paying greater attention to the development of the Nias Islands. This year, the provincial government has allocated around Rp500 billion for various development programs across the Nias Islands.
The allocation represents a significant increase from the previous year. Previously, the provincial government had allocated around Rp250 billion to Rp300 billion for the Nias Islands.
"For the Nias Islands, last year we allocated approximately Rp250 billion to Rp300 billion from our overall budget. This year, we have increased it to nearly Rp500 billion. This is good news, especially for
Nias Utara," Bobby said.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government has established three main development priorities for the Nias Islands: economic centers, production centers and tourism. Each area will be developed according to its respective characteristics and potential.
Under this strategy,
Nias Utara will serve as one of the production centers in the Nias Islands. The construction of the
coconut processing center is part of the government's efforts to promote the processing of local agricultural products so they are not sold solely as raw commodities.
Processing coconuts into copra and producing charcoal from coconut shells are expected to create new economic opportunities for farmers. In addition to increasing the market value of agricultural products, the processing center could also help strengthen the coconut value chain, from cultivation to processing.
NIAS UTARA'S REGIONAL POTENTIAL:
Nias Utara Regent Amizaro Waruwu explains the region's significant potential in the coconut industry and tourism and welcomes the planned construction of the
coconut processing center. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Coconut as a Key Economic Potential
Nias Utara Regent Amizaro Waruwu welcomed the planned construction of the
coconut processing center. In his view, coconut production, along with tourism, is among the region's most important economic potentials.
Amizaro said extensive coconut plantations can be found across many parts of Nias Utara. This condition provides an important foundation for developing a coconut processing industry that can deliver greater benefits to the local population.
"Nias Utara has potential in tourism and coconuts. There are coconut trees as far as the eye can see, extending more than 30 kilometers from here. In 2026, there are many governor's programs in
Nias Utara, including the
coconut processing center in this village and the construction of several road sections," Amizaro said.
The construction of the processing center could also mark an initial step toward supporting the community in developing downstream coconut products. Coconuts have a wide range of uses, from the flesh to copra and coconut shells or coconut shell-based fuel, as well as various processed products.
With appropriate processing facilities, farmers will no longer have to depend solely on selling their harvest in unprocessed form. The government expects local production and processing to generate additional income and stimulate new economic activities in the region.
In addition to the construction of the coconut processing center, the provincial government is preparing other development programs in Nias Utara. These include the construction of several road sections to improve connectivity and support the activities of local communities.
HOPES FOR GREATER PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ATTENTION:
Nias Utara resident Bakti Adil Waruwu expresses his emotion over meeting the North Sumatra governor in person and hopes for stronger government support in developing the region's potential. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Public Concerns at the Center of Attention
During the "Sapa Daerah" event in Lauru Fadoro, Bobby also listened to various concerns raised by local residents. The
North Sumatra Provincial Government plans to use the feedback as a basis for further planning and implementation of development programs.
The governor's visit gave residents an opportunity to directly convey their needs and expectations. Their concerns also included the development of the region's economic potential, particularly in the coconut industry and tourism, which are among Nias Utara's strengths.
A resident, Bakti Adil Waruwu, said he was moved to have the opportunity to meet the North Sumatra governor in person in his village. He expressed hope that the government's attention to
Nias Utara would continue to increase, particularly in developing the potential of its people.
"We are deeply moved. After 80 years of independence, this is the first time we have met the Governor of North Sumatra," Bakti said.
The construction of the
coconut processing center is one of the programs through which the government aims to respond to both the potential and the needs of the people of
Nias Utara. With a budget of around Rp2 billion, the facility will serve as a processing site combining copra production with the production of charcoal from coconut shells.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government hopes the development will further strengthen Nias Utara as a production center in the Nias Islands. At the same time, local communities and the regional government will have greater opportunities to develop coconuts into higher-value and more competitive products.
The initiative is in line with the development strategy for the Nias Islands, which identifies the economy, production and tourism as three key priorities. By sustainably developing local potential, the economic development of the people of
Nias Utara is expected to continue to improve. At the same time, the benefits of these development programs are expected to reach farmers and local communities directly.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala