Chili Export Potential from the West Kalimantan Border

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - West Kalimantan is one of the provinces in Indonesia bordering the land with Sarawak - Malaysia. Its position is very strategic because it is very close to one of Entikong border gate.

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman has declared West Kalimantan Province as one of the national food barn areas on the border with the main centers of Sanggau Regency, Sintang Sambas, Kapuas Hulu and Bengkayang.

"The ease of access to trade between Kalbar and Sarawak Malaysia can be used to export various agricultural commodities," said Tatang Sihabudin, Head of Extension Agency of Entikong Sub-district, along with the Head of Aneka Chili, Directorate General of Horticulture and Head of Horticulture Department of Agriculture of West Kalimantan Province (19/7) / 2018).

According to Tatang, the types of vegetables that many people in Sarawak are interested in are cayenne pepper, eggplant, mustard, and pumpkin. "Farmers need guidance regarding the procedures for cultivation and post-harvest handling according to market demand" added Tatang.

Mardiyah said that the needs of chili in West Kalimantan are still supplied from Central Java, especially in the dry season, for example many of the chili is supplied from Central Java and marketed in Flamboyan Central Market, Pontianak. "Starting in August it is expected that farmers have started planting various vegetables so that the needs ahead of the Christmas celebration can be met from local farmers' added Mardiyah

According to the explanation of Director of Vegetables and Medicinal Plants, Prihasto "The government has allocated APBN funds in 2018 amounting to Rp 4.5 billion for the development of chili pepper in 10 districts".

"It is expected that the chilli requirement for the community can be met from local production and the rest can be sold to neighboring countries" added Prihasto.

Meanwhile, Head of Horticulture, West Kalimantan Provincial Agriculture Office, Endang Kusumayanti, stated the readiness of the region to expand the planting area of ​​chili as well as to encourage the realization of its exports. "We are ready to realize the world food barn from the border, as directed by the Minister of Agriculture" said Endang.

Besides rice and fruit we will export chili through Entikong to Sarawak ", he said.

"In 2017, the production of chilli in West Kalimantan reached 1665 tons for large chili and 4719 tons for chili with a total harvest area of ​​one thousand hectares. With the population of West Kalimantan 5 million people and the average consumption per capita of 1.6 kg per capita, the demand for chilli for the consumption of Kalbar community is estimated to reach 7,900 tons per year ", said Endang." There is still a shortage of 1,500 tons. This means we still need additional areas to achieve self-sufficiency of chili. ", Said Endang optimistic.

"If the price of chili abroad is profitable, while for local needs we can adequate, we will also encourage exports to neighboring countries" he said.