RI horticultural exports poor<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The lack of an integrated concept to develop the
\nhorticulture industry is the cause of Indonesia's poor record of
\nhorticultural exports, an academic said over the weekend.<\/p>\n
The Bogor Agricultural University school of agricultural
\nmechanization's Hadi K. Purwadaria said although Indonesia had
\ngood potential, its horticultural exports last year made up less
\nthan 0.5 percent of world horticultural market.<\/p>\n
Hadi, who became a professor at the university on Saturday,
\nsaid Indonesia needed an integrated concept to develop its
\nhorticulture industry if it wanted to increase production and
\npost-harvest processing.<\/p>\n
\"This should include commercial activities like the provision
\nof high-quality seeds, the production and processing of
\nhorticultural produce and the creation of viable and profit-
\noriented businesses,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesian fruit exports rose from 5.8 million tons in 1990 to
\n8.1 million tons in 1995 while vegetable exports rose from 5.7
\nmillion tons to 6.7 million tons.<\/p>\n
Hadi said Indonesia could increase horticultural exports
\nbecause there was a big market.<\/p>\n
In 1995 Japan imported US$1.68 billion worth of fruit while
\nHong Kong and Taiwan imported $752.5 million and $233.9 million
\nworth respectively.<\/p>\n
Japan also imported $630 million of vegetables, Hong Kong
\nimported $174 million worth and Taiwan,$18 million worth.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's orchid exports that year were worth $1.4 million,
\nfar less than Singapore's which were worth $18.2 million.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia urgently needs to increase the production and
\nquality of its horticultural produce,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hadi said agencies and associations from various disciplines
\nshould cooperate to achieve this.<\/p>\n
\"The application of agricultural engineering ... starting from
\nseed production to processing, will help speed up the process,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
During Saturday's ceremony Betty Sri Laksmi Jenie was also
\nmade a professor at the university's school of food and nutrition
\ntechnology.<\/p>\n
Betty's speech looked at the potential of biotechnology
\nproviding healthy food. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-horticultural-exports-poor-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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