Many people may not know that Banyuwangi is the largest dragon fruit-producing area in Indonesia. Data from the Banyuwangi Agriculture and Food Service noted that the area of dragon fruit plants in the local district is currently around 3,786 hectares, with production reaching 82,544 tons per year. With that much production, Banyuwangi Regency is known as the largest dragon fruit producer in Indonesia. Dragon fruit cultivation center Banyuwangi Regency is mostly located in the southern region, which includes the districts of Purwoharjo, Tegaldlimo, Pesanggaran, Siliragung, Clearing, Serono, Bangorejo, and Sempu. Recently, Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani, together with exporters, held a meeting to discuss plans to export dragon fruit agricultural products to foreign countries. "This is good news for Banyuwangi farmers. Hopefully, when the harvest season arrives, dragon fruit prices will remain stable because their market share is wider, "said Regent Ipuk on Monday (21/3).
The plan for the initial export of dragon fruit and several Banyuwangi agricultural commodities will be carried out on March 24, 2022. There are 15 villages in Banyuwangi Regency whose agricultural products participated in the initial export, including Jambewangi (Sempu District) and Sumberagung (Pesantgaran District). These dozens of villages are Astra Welfare Villages that receive guidance, assistance, and empowerment from their farmers to produce export quality products. They also facilitate access to marketing. The DSA program is part of the social responsibility (CSR) of PT Astra Internasional Tbk. "We are collaborating and cooperating with many parties to make innovations and breakthroughs in improving the welfare of the people of Banyuwangi, among them, with several companies that are committed to jointly realizing the welfare of the people," said Ipuk. Ipuk added that the Banyuwangi agricultural commodity export plan will be in collaboration with PT Nusa Fresh, which will market it to foreign countries. Pekik Warnendya, Chief Marketing Officer of PT Nusa Fresh, said agricultural commodities from Banyuwangi will be exported to Singapore and several European countries. No fewer than 15 countries have been explored as export markets. Besides dragon fruit, Pekik explained that the agricultural commodities from Banyuwangi that will participate in the first export are mangosteen, rambutan, and cardamom. For the first time, the total exports are around 8-12 tons. "Buyers there (overseas) ask for shipping once a month for spice products, while fruits and vegetables are once a week," he said. Pekik said that Banyuwangi's agricultural potential is very abundant and has been the company's supplier for export for a long time. However, this is the first time the export process has been carried out independently and directly from Banyuwangi. At least in the last two years, we often took goods from Banyuwangi. However, this is the first time we will export from Banyuwangi," he said.
