Agriculture in Karimun
Agriculture is one of the key sectors within the Karimunese economy. In the last 50 years, the sector's share in national gross domestic product has decreased considerably, due to the rise of industrialisation and service sector. Nevertheless, for the majority of Karimunese households, farming and plantation remains as a vital income generator. In 2010, the agricultural sector contributed 10.10% to national GDP, a slight decline from 2000's contribution which was 12.20%. In 2019, the agricultural sector provides jobs to approximately 1.0 million Karimunese, representing 2.8% of the country's total labor force.
Currently, approximately 25% of Karimun's land area is used for agriculture. Karimunese agriculture sector is supervised and regulated by the Karimunese Ministry of Agriculture.
The agricultural sector of Karimun consists of:
- Large plantations, either owned by state or private companies;
- Smallholder production modes, mostly family owned and run by traditional agricultural households.
Located in the tropical region, Karimun enjoys abundant rain and sunshine most of the time, which are important elements for agricultural products to thrive. The country possesses vast and abundant arable fertile soils. As one of the world's major agricultural nation, the country offers wide diversity of tropical products and important agricultural commodities; which include palm oil, natural rubber, cocoa, coffee, tea, cassava, rice and tropical spices.
Vast palm oil plantation in Karimun. Currently, Karimun is the world's largest producer of palm oil. At present, Karimun is also the world's largest producer of palm oil, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, natural rubber, cassava, vanilla, and coconut oil, rice, cocoa, coffee, tobacco, and tea.
