The Regent of Pohuwato, Saipul A. Mbuinga, welcomed the arrival of Japanese cocoa investors, who were returning to Pohuwato for the fourth time. During the meeting, held in the regent's office on Monday (October 27, 2025), the investors displayed processed cocoa beans from Taluditi District, which have been successfully processed into ready-to-eat chocolate.
Regent Saipul expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the Japanese investors' commitment to following up on their previous collaboration by bringing tangible evidence of local cocoa processing. "The local government has warmly welcomed these investors' good intentions. The third meeting last month was not in vain, as they have now brought processed products from Taluditi cocoa beans, which they can demonstrate firsthand," said Regent Saipul, displaying two bags of processed chocolate.
According to the Regent, this meeting is concrete evidence that Pohuwato cocoa has significant potential in the international market. "We are very grateful and welcome these results. The local government will help promote the chocolate produced by this Japanese entrepreneur," he added.
The Regent also hopes that these achievements will motivate cocoa farmers in Pohuwato to further develop the region's superior commodity. "We're encouraging cocoa farmers to be even more enthusiastic. With the guarantee of a wide open market and the availability of buyers, we're optimistic that Pohuwato cocoa will continue to grow," explained Saipul Mbuinga.
Meanwhile, Indonesian-Japanese interpreter Dedi Iramanto, who accompanied the investment team, explained that the Japanese side was very interested in the quality of cocoa beans from Gorontalo, particularly from Taluditi District. "The ones they're interested in are cocoa beans from Marisa V in Mekarti Jaya Village, Marisa VI in Puncak Jaya Village, and Panca Karsa 1. They think the Pohuwato farmers are very good at caring for their cocoa plants, not just planting but also maintaining the quality of the plants," Dedi explained.
The Japanese investment team is represented by Mr. Kusima, a representative from the Japanese company Chateraise, along with other members, including Mr. Yasaki, Mr. Haibara, Mr. Kajihara, and the Indonesian representative, Jaldin. Adding to this, the Head of the Pohuwato Agriculture Service, Kamri Alwi, revealed that the cocoa potential in his area is quite large, especially in the Taluditi District. Based on plantation statistics, the cocoa plantation area in Taluditi reaches 3,661.75 hectares, consisting of 655 hectares of mature plants (TM), 199 hectares of immature plants (TBM), and 1,807.75 hectares of damaged/dead plants (TR).
Meanwhile, across Pohuwato Regency, the total cocoa plantation area is recorded at 3,955.75 hectares, with 823.5 hectares of mature plants (TM), 252 hectares of mature plants (TBM), and 2,880.25 hectares of TR. "With the presence of this Japanese investor, the Pohuwato Regency Government hopes that cooperation in cocoa development will further strengthen Pohuwato's position as one of the potential cocoa centers in eastern Indonesia," said Kamri Alwi.
Also accompanying the Regent of Pohuwato were Bahari Gobel, the Regent's Expert Staff, and Husain Ingo, an Expert Staff to the Regent, and a member of the Pohuwato Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapppeda).
Source:
https://prokopim.pohuwatokab.go.id/berita/bacaberita/4803/bupati-saipul-apresiasi-keseriusan-investor-jepang-kembangkan-kakao-pohuwato