Areca nut expected to boost Balangan's economy

Paringin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - A member of Balangan Legislative Council (DPRD) M Rusdin Barhiwan hopes that the cultivation of betel nut (pinang) will boost the economy pf the district in the future.

"With serious management by farmers group and supported with optimal assistance of the related agencies, we expect that the cultivation of areca nut to boost our community in the future," said Rusdin, who is a secretary of Commission II of the council, to Antara News, Saturday. 

He hopes in the next three to four years Balangan will become one of the breeding areas to provide a good quality betel nut, especially for South Kalimantan. 

Betel nut at present is not as popular as elephant foot yam (porang), but it is one of the raw materials for natural dye for South Kalimantan typical cloth of Sasirangan as well as for other textiles. Thus it is valued to be very potential for a high demand if it is managed seriously. 

"Currently the dried betel nut price on South Kalimantan market is around Rp30,000 per kg," he said.

Betel nut is also an export commodity for cosmetics raw material and medicinal ingredient that is included in the WHO priority list. The plant can be grown in either monoculture or intercropped with other plants.

"The first program of betel nut cultivation in Balangan is very serious. It seeds distribution is one of my aspirations in the 2021 budget (APBD) ina joint effort to increase the district potential in the plantation sector," he said.

A few days ago, he and the plantation division of the Balangan Food Security, Agriculture, and Fisheries Agency(DKP3) had distributed 2,000 betel nut seeds to Mekar Farmers Group in Binjai Village, Paringin Selatan Sub-district.

The betel nut seeds are planned to be planted on an area of about two hectares in their garden.

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