Subarjo, a modest figure who discovers Hiyung Chili

Rantau, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Muhammad Khalilurrahman alias Subarjo (40) is only a simple man who succeded in making big changes in agriculture in his village, Hiyung, Tapin Tengah Sub-district, Tapin, South Kalimantan.

The man who was born on April 8, 1980, in Hiyung Village is the main figure in the discovery of chili which is known for its spiciness 17 times compared to other chilies, it is Hiyung Chili.

Subarjo said that he was from a farmer's family. Since he was a child he used to help his parents work on crops in the field.

About how he encountered Hiyung chili, Subarjo told. "Initially around 1997 I bought chili seeds in Linuh Village, and planted them on our farmland dividers with other farmers." 

At that time, people in Hiyung Village mostly made their living from collecting galam wood for fuel and for construction.

"Maybe we were the only ones who planted chili. After harvesting the chili, some we sold and replanted others," Subarjo told.

Related news: Hiyung chili to bring Tapin to Top 99 Public Service Innovation
Related news: Hottest Hiyung chili improves local people's economy

Seeing that the chili farming was quite promosing, Subarjo then developed it by using a two-hectare land specifically for chili.

"When we succeeded, other residents began to buy seeds from us. They planted chili which is now known as Hiyung Chili," said the man who only studied up to elementary school (SD).

Around the year 2000, the district government of Tapin began to look at the chili farming in the village, which is about 15 km from the capital district of Rantau.

"At that time, this chili was discoursed using my name, but I refused, so it was decided the name of the chili was Hiyung Chili, according to the name of the village," he said.

Subarjo had never imagined that chili he planted 23 years ago could bring the name of Tapin to be known even worldwide.

"Yes, in the past we only planted, never thought it would be like now," he said.

His success in discovering the chili as the variety of Hiyung Chili was then bestowed by the Tapin Regent with an award certificate in 2012.

"This is the only award given by the government to me personally," Subarjo concluded.
Read also: Hanif ready to encourage South Kalimantan's reforestation program to national level
Read also: S Kalimantan's Farmers Exchange Value rises by 0,44 percent in July
Read also: Banjarmasin's 21 schools win Adiwiyata