Government Appreciated IPB as the Originator of Orange Revolution Movement

Government through Director General of Horticulture of Ministry of Agriculture supported and appreciated the orange revolution movement originated by IPB. Dr.Ir. Hasanuddin Ibrahim expressed his appreciation in a press conference held after the Inauguration ceremony of Initiator Team of Orange Revolution in the Meeting Room at Andi Hakim Nasoetion Building of Campus of IPB Dramaga (14/5).

 

“We appreciate IPB which encourages the rise of nationwide fruit production. Surely, a good fruit that should be proud of is from the quality and availability,” said Dr. Hasanuddin in front of reporters.

 

When compared between import and national production of fruit, as a whole the national production was much greater. But the nationwide fruit was hard to be available in the supermarket because of the technical constraint and the payment system, he added.

 

Indonesia’s biggest import was oranges, following apples, grapes, pears, plums, kiwi, etc. Then by the Director General of Horticulture, the orange commodity would be addressed first. 

 

Hopefully, with 3,000 hectares of marginal land of PTPN VII which would be allocated to orchards (durian, mangosteen, avocado, papaya, banana) with the seed quality and the superior outcome were able to become the spearhead of Indonesian fruit export.

 

Based on the experience of IPB which was successful to disseminate the Wanayasa mangosteen research to the farmers so that 80% of the total production through the export market, IPB initiated the orange revolution which emphasized on three pillars, i.e. the increase in consumption, production and export of nationwide fruit.

 

“Thailand is on the average of 30-40% of exported fruit. I think Indonesia is more potential than Thailand. So, I am sure in 2040 Indonesia could become the largest exporter of tropical fruit,” said Ir. Jumadi S. Witopawiro, one of the initiators which was also the alumni of the Department of Agronomy IPB.

 

In this occasion the Rector of IPB confirmed 63 people who initiated the program and movement of a significant change in policy, institutional, and penetration of fruit market in the nationwide. The goal was to strengthen the independence of the nationwide fruit consumption and to realize Indonesia’s position as one of the producer countries and the world’s largest exporter of tropical fruit. (zul)