PT. Cipta Agri Pratama (CAP), which acts as the main offtaker, has successfully conducted its first export of Cavendish banana agricultural products from Bone Regency, South Sulawesi, which have penetrated the international market to South Korea. A total of one container or around 20 tons of Cavendish bananas that have been sent to South Korea are the agricultural products of farmers in Kahu District, Bone Regency, South Sulawesi. PT. CAP Director Rio Erlangga through his statement in Makassar, Sunday (25/5), stated that the success of this export was the result of collaboration between the South Sulawesi Provincial Government, Bank BPD Sulselbar as the distributor of People's Business Credit (KUR), and local farmer groups. "In this partnership scheme, farmers receive a price guarantee for five years, which provides market certainty and encourages increased production," he said.
Currently, the area of Cavendish banana land that has been planted in Kahu District reaches around 13 hectares and will continue to be developed. This program is in line with President Prabowo's direction in encouraging a corporate-based agricultural business model and efficient economic scale. The goal is to expand farmers' access to financing, technology, and strengthen the marketing system. According to Rio, market demand for Cavendish bananas from South Korea is very high, with a need reaching 20 containers per month or equivalent to 400 tons. In addition, the Omani market is also awaiting a supply of Cavendish bananas from South Sulawesi, which shows great potential for exports to the Middle East. In addition to Bone Regency, the initial planting of Cavendish bananas has also been carried out in several other locations such as Sidrap, Gowa, and Bantaeng Regencies. With further development in various regions of South Sulawesi, this program is expected to not only encourage increased exports, but also have a real impact on farmer welfare, job creation, and increasing regional income.
