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| Batola boosts pineapple downstreaming through local farmers, creating value-added products and strengthening the regional economy. |
Marabahan – The Barito Kuala (Batola) Regency Government in South Kalimantan continues to accelerate downstreaming efforts in the horticulture sector, particularly for pineapple, one of the region’s leading commodities.
This initiative aims to increase the economic value of agricultural products while strengthening local businesses and farmer income.
Head of the Batola Agriculture Office, H Wahyu Waguna, emphasized that farmers are encouraged to go beyond selling fresh produce.
“We continue to encourage farmers to improve downstream processing of horticultural products,” he said in Marabahan on Sunday.
Women Farmers Leading Innovation
One notable success story comes from the Karya Bunda Bersama Women Farmers Group (KWT) in Jelapat II Village, Mekarsari District.
The group has been actively developing a wide range of pineapple-based products, including:
Candied pineapple
Pineapple jelly
Pineapple syrup
Pineapple jam
Pineapple juice beverages
In addition, they also produce other snack items such as cassava chips and banana chips to diversify their product line.
The group processes an average of 30 kilograms of pineapple per production cycle, which typically occurs once or twice a month.
Expanding Market Reach
Their products are marketed through multiple channels, including:
Traditional markets
Souvenir centers
Local minimarkets
Regional exhibitions and government events
This multi-channel approach has helped increase visibility and demand for locally processed goods.
Government Support Strengthens Growth
Due to their consistency in downstream processing, the group has received production equipment assistance from Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Such support plays a crucial role in improving production capacity and ensuring better product quality.
Tamban Pineapple as Regional Icon
Mekarsari District, formerly part of Tamban District, is widely known as the production center of Tamban pineapple, a flagship horticultural product of Batola.
Beyond fresh consumption, Tamban pineapples are commonly processed into:
Wajik (sweet sticky rice cake)
Dodol (traditional sweet confection)
Jam
Pineapple powder
This downstreaming strategy significantly boosts the commodity’s economic value while opening new business opportunities for local communities.
Batola’s downstreaming initiative aligns with Indonesia’s broader strategy to strengthen agriculture through value-added processing.
From an economic perspective, downstreaming:
Increases product selling prices
Reduces reliance on raw commodity markets
Creates new job opportunities
Enhances competitiveness of local products
Additionally, it helps minimize post-harvest losses when fresh produce cannot be fully absorbed by the market.
FAQ
1. What is horticultural downstreaming?
It is the process of turning raw agricultural products into value-added goods to increase economic returns.
2. What pineapple products are made in Batola?
Candied pineapple, jelly, syrup, jam, juice, dodol, and wajik.
3. Who is involved in this initiative?
Local farmers, including the Karya Bunda Bersama Women Farmers Group.
4. How much pineapple is processed?
Around 30 kilograms per production cycle.
5. Why is downstreaming important?
It increases income, expands market access, and reduces waste.