Tabalong successfully developed pasak bumi

Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, 30/10 (AntaranewsKalsel) - The forest management unit (KPH) in Tabalong, South Kalimantan, successfully developed pasak bumi from a jungle plant into a cultivated crop. 

Head of South Kalimantan Forestry Agency Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in Banjarbaru on Monday said that today the pasak bumi plant (Eurycoma longifolia) becomes the superior cultivation plant of KPH Tabalong to be developed as an extract for a various processed products.

"Alhamdulillah now pasak bumi has been developed from an endemic jungle plant into a cultivated crop to increase people's prosperity," he said.

As one of South Kalimantan specific herb, it gains much interest from the local and outside community. And, according to him, pasak bumi (or also known as Long Jack) is now being processed into various products for people consumption.

Farmers group guided by KPH Tabalong, for example, has developed pasak bumi coffee.

"Other place may be famous with Luwak coffee and others, but here we introduce pasak bumi coffee, which has a various benefit as herbal medication," he said.

Not only in KPH Tabalong, the agency also develops other forestry products of each district through eight KPH it has been established.

KPH Kayu Tangi produces candlenut oil, while KPH Hulu Sungai has developed cinnamon into beverage products, one of which is cinnamon syrup now being pursued by many consumers.

While KPH Balangan develops eaglewood and other KPH expands rubber.