South Kalimantan's gelinggang leaf exports reach tens of tons

Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Agriculture through the Banjarmasin Agricultural Quarantine has again facilitated the export of gelinggang leaves (Cassia Alata or Senna alata). A total of 12 tons of gelinggang leaves worth IDR880.6 million belonging to PT Sarikaya Sega Utama were exported to Osaka and Tokyo, Japan.

Head of the Banjarmasin Agricultural Quarantine Nur Hartanto said the agency had done a series of inspection to ensure that the leaves to be sent were healthy and free of live insects according to the requirements of the destination country.

"As a facilitator for the export of agricultural products, we ensure that the leaves are guaranteed health and quality and are free from live insects according to the requirements of the destination country," Nur Hartanto noted in his statement, Monday (April 4, 2022).

According to him, South Kalimantan is a pioneer and is still the only region in Indonesia that exports gelinggang leaves with an economic value of billions of rupiah.

"Today only South Kalimantan is exporting the leaf and it is one of the contributors to foreign exchange for the country. In 2021, we have exported 222.6 tons of gelinggang leaves with an export value of IDR15.7 billion," said Nur Hartanto.

Referring the IQFAST quarantine automation system data, until the end of March 2022, the Banjarmasin Agricultural Quarantine had certified exports of 45 tons of gelinggang leaves with a value of more than IDR2.5 billion.

Separately, the Head of the Agricultural Quarantine Agency Ir. Bambang, MM, said that based of IQFAST 2021 data, nationally the export of gelinggang leaves increased by 3.2% compared to 2020.

Bambang strongly supports the emergence of variety of new export commodities to become superior commodities. “Gelinggang or senna leaf has become a leading export commodity that is increasingly in demand by the global market, especially Asia, America and Europe,” he added.

This is in line with the direction of Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo who said that export-oriented agricultural commodities must have high quality standards applicable in the destination country.