RI horticultural exports poor

RI horticultural exports poor

JAKARTA (JP): The lack of an integrated concept to develop the
horticulture industry is the cause of Indonesia's poor record of
horticultural exports, an academic said over the weekend.

The Bogor Agricultural University school of agricultural
mechanization's Hadi K. Purwadaria said although Indonesia had
good potential, its horticultural exports last year made up less
than 0.5 percent of world horticultural market.

Hadi, who became a professor at the university on Saturday,
said Indonesia needed an integrated concept to develop its
horticulture industry if it wanted to increase production and
post-harvest processing.

"This should include commercial activities like the provision
of high-quality seeds, the production and processing of
horticultural produce and the creation of viable and profit-
oriented businesses," he said.

Indonesian fruit exports rose from 5.8 million tons in 1990 to
8.1 million tons in 1995 while vegetable exports rose from 5.7
million tons to 6.7 million tons.

Hadi said Indonesia could increase horticultural exports
because there was a big market.

In 1995 Japan imported US$1.68 billion worth of fruit while
Hong Kong and Taiwan imported $752.5 million and $233.9 million
worth respectively.

Japan also imported $630 million of vegetables, Hong Kong
imported $174 million worth and Taiwan,$18 million worth.

Indonesia's orchid exports that year were worth $1.4 million,
far less than Singapore's which were worth $18.2 million.

"Indonesia urgently needs to increase the production and
quality of its horticultural produce," he said.

Hadi said agencies and associations from various disciplines
should cooperate to achieve this.

"The application of agricultural engineering ... starting from
seed production to processing, will help speed up the process,"
he said.

During Saturday's ceremony Betty Sri Laksmi Jenie was also
made a professor at the university's school of food and nutrition
technology.

Betty's speech looked at the potential of biotechnology
providing healthy food. (pwn)