The collapse of the mining sector which caused economic growth in South Kalimantan to plummet turned out to bring tremendous blessings to farmers in Tapin District.
How not, when the coal mine begins to lose its light because the exports price has dropped dramatically and supplies are running low, the public and the government are starting to divert attention to get new economic resources.
One of the sectors that is considered to be a new source of income is the horticulture, which so far has not been fully explored and has not received special attention from the government.
It's like waking up a sleeping giant, in a short time, a sector that had never been glimpsed, suddenly its popularity shot and became a new pillar of promising economic growth.
One of them is Hiyung chili, a local commodity, whose name is now known not only in South Kalimantan but national and even the world.
Hiyung chili varieties have spiciness rates of up to 94,500 ppm, equivalent to 17 times that of ordinary chili. In fact, it became the hottest chili in Indonesia and now raises the degree of the welfare of the Tapin community.
Tapin, formerly known as a coal mining area with its various problems, is now slowly being recognized as the development of the horticulture sector.
Hiyung Chili, as if being a "new mine" for the Tapin community, to continue to be developed and explored its potential.
The chili that was first discovered by a man named Subarjo 25 years ago turned out to carry the name of his village, Hiyung Village, Central Tapin Subdistrict, became known throughout the archipelago and even worldwide.
"We know that Hiyung chili has 17 times the spiciness of chili based on the results of a test by the Vegetable Research Institute (Balitsa) laboratory in West Java," said Regent Tapin HM Arifin Arpan.
Based on the Balitsa research, the Tapin Government feels that it has a big responsibility to maintain and develop the local plant varieties.
Hiyung chili is now registered to the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture with number 09/PLV/2012 April 12, 2012.
"Until last September, Hiyung's chili planting area has reached 278 hectares and of course we will continue to improve it by applying the right agricultural technology," he said.
Increase well-being
The Tapin government effort in developing Hiyung Chili also has an impact on the economy of the people in the central village of Hiyung Chili.
The community of Hiyung Village, who used to earn living from galam wood for firewood, now with Hiyung Chili, 85 percent turn to Hiyung Chili farmers, which are considered more profitable and environmentally friendly.
"Even every Hiyung Chili harvest, the benefits can be for Umrah," said the Regent who had received the prestigious honor of Setya Lencana Pangan Nusantara twice from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Uniquely, chili which has resistance to pests and can last long when planted in the swamp area, its spiciness and durability will decrease when planted in the highlands.
"Yes, research has been carried out by agricultural research centers in our region, and of course it has been tested," said Arifin Arpan.
In an effort to improve the economy of Hiyung Chili farmers, the Tapin government cooperates with several companies in Tapin, seeks to produce Chili Hiyung products such as shredded chili and chili sauce in packaging. Through this postharvest production, the chili can be enjoyed at any time with various flavors.
This potential will now continue to be developed, even some foreign guests are also interested in coming to see the potential directly.
Arifin Arpan, in addition to successfully developing Hiyung Chili, was included in the 10 most innovative regional heads of Tempo Magazine.
In addition to Hiyung chili, Tapin also developed red onion cultivation, even the district seeks to become a red onion barn in Kalimantan.
Tapin has been able to supply red onion to traditional markets in South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan, and has even been able to export abroad.
"I aspire to make Tapin a Nusantara food barn," the Regent hoped.
Yes ... the government and the people of Tapin starting to succeed in changing their life, which initially relied heavily on the mining sector, has now turned to the agricultural sector.
It is not as easy as turning the palm of the hand, to be able to change the mindset and pattern of life that society has lived for decades, in comfortable conditions by the abundance of natural resources.
Meanwhile, the Antara National News Agency, as the only state news agency, will give awards to the regional government who have a strong commitment to improving community welfare.
The Chairman of the Assessment Team Syamsuddin said several indicators of regional program feasible to receive the Antara Award are consistency in the implementation of the program, it at changing the mindset of the community to be better and to encourage the welfare of the community. community.
In addition, it has broad support from all parties involved and has been successfully implemented in accordance with the program set.
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Two processed Hiyung chili, namely shredded chili and chili sauce in packaging. (Antaranews Kalsel/M Husein Asyari)
