Marabahan, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Acting Governor Safrizal ZA planted liberica coffee in the tourist village of Muara Kanoco, Anjir Muara Sub-district, Barito Kuala (Batola) District, as well as released bekantan (proboscis monkey) on Curiak Island, Friday (July 2,2021).
Safrizal ZA, who came with his wife, DPRD chairman H Supian HK with his wife, and several heads of SKPD (government working units), were greeted by Batola Regent Hj Noormiliyani AS, Deputy Regent H Rahmadian Noor, and the local Forkopimda.
“I think this location is very suitable for liberica coffee cultivation considering this type of coffee is very suitable in the land that has a height of between 3 and 9 meters,” said Safrizal ZA.
The acting Governor, who is from Aceh, admitted that he quite recognized coffee because he really likes this type of drink.
With very suitable land specifications, he hopes Batola can become a center for South Kalimantan's liberica coffee, not only raw, but also in the form of products to serving.
Related to the release of proboscis monkey at the Bekantan Research Centre, Curiak Island, Safrizal hopes that the Sahabat Bekatan Indonesia Foundation (YSBI) can increase the population of the typical Kalimantan animal.
“This type of endemic animal is very limited, we hope this habitat will continue to be developed so its existence remains sustainable,” he said.
As a form of concern, he has signed an IDR350milion grant for YSBI to build gazebos, restoration of rambai mangroves, for socialization and research of eco-tourism.
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Meanwhile, the Regent of Batola Hj Noormiliyani AS stated that she was quite interested in the presence of liberica coffee.
However, she said, what worried is that the coffee cultivation will affect other commodities that have been successful so far. Even some have become centers, such as rice, citrus fruit, rambutan, pineapple, and others.
If the presence of liberica on Kanoco attraction affects other commodities, it is better to reserve another location in Batola.
Separately, Dwi Putra from Biji Kopi Borneo said that liberica is known as peatland specialty coffee, because of its adaptability and tolerance to pests and hot climate as well as high humidity.
Liberica, Dwi added, is usually planted intercropping with other crops, except for oil palm.
This type of coffee can be used as shade plants to reduce the intensity of sun reaching the leaf canopy. Besides, this plant is not greedy to water and doest not damage the hydrological management of peat.
“Batola has a lot of peatlands, so it is very suitable to be the main commodity of liberica,” he said.
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