Strengthening the Durian Industry, Central Sulawesi Governor Inaugurates Packing House in Parigi Moutong

Governor of Central Sulawesi, Anwar Hafid, inaugurated the packing house of PT Pondok Durian Sulawesi in Masari Village, South Parigi Subdistrict, Parigi Moutong Regency. He emphasised the government’s role in driving community welfare. Anwar assessed that investment plays an important role in creating jobs while stimulating the regional economy. “If businesses grow, job opportunities will open up. That is what we must encourage together,” he stated on Sunday (29/3). Anwar described the presence of this packing house as a strategic step in increasing the added value of durian commodities. Through this facility, durian products can undergo better sorting, packaging, and standardisation processes, thereby providing higher selling prices for farmers. “If farmers sell individually, prices are often unstable. With a packing house, quality is better maintained and the market becomes clearer,” he explained. Anwar also highlighted the promising export opportunities for durian, especially to the Chinese market where demand continues to rise. Nevertheless, he reminded of the importance of maintaining quality standards to penetrate international markets. “Don’t just chase quantity. Quality must be maintained from seeds to the packaging process,” Anwar stressed. In addition to opportunities, Anwar touched on the challenge of limited durian supply to meet industry needs. He urged relevant agencies to immediately calculate requirements and production to increase future harvests. “We already have the facilities. Production must be increased. Don’t let the industry be ready, but raw materials are lacking,” he stated. Anwar added that the regional government is committed to continuing to support investment by providing solution-oriented policies that do not hinder. “If the community works and has income, the region will be safe and developed,” he concluded. Through this inauguration, the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government hopes that the durian sector in the area continues to develop, is able to penetrate export markets, and improves the welfare of farmers, especially in Parigi Moutong and surrounding areas.