Karimun Regency Develop Pineapple Industry

foto: gitaagustiani.wordpress.com

Since 2006, pineapple plantation program has been launched in Kundur Island. The program failed because pineapple farmers have no market share. To that end, the Government of Karimun regency, Riau Islands province will develop the pineapple processing industry.

Through pineapple processing industry, pineapple farmers harvest of hundreds of hectares can be stored and processed into food products. Farmers are expected to no longer think of market or losing money because pineapple prices are very cheap.

Head of Department of Agriculture and Plantation Karimun Regency, Amran Syahidid said the central government has provided funding of about 200 million to build a pineapple plant processing.

''In the near future, we are building pineapple processing facility in Kundur district. The goal is to accommodate the pineapple crop farmers,''he said.

He said it would be a Karimun typical food processing pineapple that can be used as souvenirs for tourists who visit to Karimun.

The development of the pineapple processing industry is one attempt to realize Kundur Island as a center of agriculture and plantations.

Various programs have been conducted, including the development of paddy fields, rubber plantations, durian and corn.

Special development of pineapple, which has cultivated land among farmers in Tanjung Sari, Kundur District.

The land is tilled by farmers who are members of agricultural pineapple cooperation.

In 2006, farmers difficulty selling pineapples because no company is willing to buy it, while the selling price in the market is around Rp450-650.

Farmers suffered losses because of the selling price can not cover the cost of planting and harvesting. Farmers also failed exporting pineapple to Malaysia because there are no buyers. (kepri online daily)