Ciamis-based Agribusiness Company to set target 1M Areca Nut Tree Plantations 


Ciamis-based Agribusiness Company to set target 1M Areca Nut Tree Plantations 

Ciamis, 11 July, 2021/Indonesia Media – An agribusiness company in Ciamis and Pangandaran regencies, the province of West Java is planning to grow areca nut in 30 thousand hectares under the scheme of Inti – Plasma partnership as what has been carried out successfully in CPO (crude palm oil) plantation. Ciamis and Pangandaran are neighboring and have been known to be the largest producers in the world. The company will provide some seeds to achieve the target of one million tree plantations in Ciamis. “The mapping of its potentials is being carried out, though the pandemic of covid is still haunting. The mapping of the villages, districts and farmer groups are still ongoing,” said the director of Ciamis-based agribusiness company Mahatma Djaya Saparakanca, Yoga Rusdiana.

The scheme of Inti Plasma partnership will likely bolster local people’s economy, and rely on the agribusiness sector. The company sets a target of the plantation of areca nut up to one million trees by the end of 2021. Simultaneously, areca nut and cardamom will be planted while also adjusting the area. There are some areas which are suitable for the plantation of cardamom, and there are some for areca nuts. “Cardamom has ever been exported to China and the demand was high when pandemic of covid had not hit the country. But, the demand is a bit lower now,” said Yoga.

Even, Indonesian trade ministry’s directorate general for national export development (NED) has ever paid attention to the export of cardamom. Once there was a problem between exporter and farmer groups. The Director General of NED, Kasan decided to tackle them about the problem at that time. Meanwhile PT Mahatma accommodated business matching between Chinese buyers and small medium enterprises (UKM) of cardamom and areca nut. “The payment was delayed, amounting to Rp 4,5 billion (three hundred and twenty thousand US Dollar). The broker failed to pay. According to the company, cash was transferred. But we had not received it till the local police tackled the dispute. Mr. Kasan kept monitoring the process of finding a solution at that time,” said Yoga.

The plantation of cardamom in the area is still being carried out with its capacity up to 500 tons (dry when harvesting). The plan of switching into areca nut plantation is considered due to the potential of idle lands in Ciamis. Agriculture, especially during the pandemic of covid-19 is considered to be prospective. Besides, permit requirements are exempted and employment opportunities are open. One plantation can feed at least 1000 families (with an average number of family members being six people). “Next August, we are ready to set two containers. The demand reaches up to 54 tons per month for areca nut. But we still need more buyers of cardamom since the stocks are still available. Cardamom is used for herbal remedies, medicines, aromatherapy medicated oil. Some aromatherapy products also target high end. Chinese buyers use cardamom for herbs,” said Yoga. (sl/IM)

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