The potential for organic exports continues to rise and has proven resilient even during the Covid-19 pandemic. PT Mega Inovasi Organik (MIO) is a prominent exporter of Indonesian organic products with a global reach. Dippos Naloanro, owner and director of Mega Inovasi Organik, stated that since its establishment in 2011, MIO has aimed to build an organic farming ecosystem in Indonesia. During the Covid-19 pandemic, while overall food demand decreased, the global market for organic products grew by 10%, reflecting increased awareness and concern about health issues, particularly chemicals in products. He emphasized the vast potential for organic product exports, citing that the European market can absorb up to 1 ton of fresh organic passion fruit per week. Additionally, organic products are favored in international markets due to their health benefits and being free from chemicals that can impact health. To support this, MIO partners with farmers to educate and assist them in certifying organic products for export and domestic markets.
Currently, MIO collaborates with over 2,500 farmers from Sumatra, Java, Bali, and East Nusa Tenggara to produce a variety of integrated organic products on a single plot, including coconut sugar, organic fruits, spices, and rice for export to Europe, the United States, and Asia. Anro explained that MIO applies an integrated organic farming concept, where farmers are guided to plant various organic products desired by European and US markets as a strategy for agricultural diversification. On a plot of 2,000-3,000 square meters, farmers grow coconut sugar, fruits like passion fruit, mangosteen, mango, pineapple, soursop, and spices such as pandan leaves, vanilla, ginger, turmeric, and temulawak. As a result, the income of MIO’s partner farmers has increased. Before becoming organic farmers, they earned IDR 3-4 million per month from selling molded sugar. MIO encouraged them to engage in organic farming and processing into granulated sugar, boosting their income to IDR 7 million per month. Besides collaboration in agricultural product development, MIO also provides training and regular monitoring to ensure that the products meet organic standards. MIO guarantees to absorb all products from partner farmers who adhere to organic farming practices.
