Agricom.id, NORTH SUMATERA –Humbang Hasundutan is one district in North Sumatera Province which the topography is 48% are in 1.000–1500 meters above the sea. Such topography, if it is well managed, could have the big potential to develop the agriculture, namely the horticulture.

Within elevation more than 100 meters above the sea, kinds of horticultures within high economic value could be developed, such as, garlic, potato, onion, cabbage, tangerine, and other kinds of vegetables. Knowing the big potential in District of Humbang Hasundutan, in the recent days, ministry of agriculture planned to develop the food estate in horticulture – base.

Its development concept would be integrated, starting from the upstream to downstream sectors. It would also be developed with collaboration with many stakeholders, including the private sectors that would be in partnership with the local farmers. The food estate development would have something to do with superior and qualified seeds.

The qualified seeds would produce the competitive products in the domestic and abroad. These are the components to discuss in the food estate.

As the initial phase, it would be focused to develop three commodities, such as, onion, garlic, and potato. It is hoped that the onion in the region would be enough and could be the solution to the price fluctuation. The garlic development would be focused to minimize the massive exports.

In the future, it would be about to fulfill the garlic self-sufficient while the potato is developed to be in the industrial scale which the materials are imported still for all these years.

About the garlic, Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo said that the three commodities have high economic values and prospects to be developed.

“The three commodities are expensive. If they are planted in the good areas, the quality of the production would be good too. High technology would intervene the plantings,” he said when visiting the general directorate of horticulture some time ago.

Director of Horticulture Seeds, Ministry of Agriculture, Sukarman said that the food estate development in the district would open the chance to develop the horticulture seeds industries.

“I do hope that the seeds producers could develop in the district and around. They would be developed and facilitated by infrastructures and trainings. The seeds in the district would not be from other regions but should be fulfilled by the local producers and around,” he said, Saturday (25/7/2020) as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

The seeds needs, he continued, would be fulfilled by the cooperation among the seeds producers in Humbang Hasundutan and around or from the seeds agencies.

In the other place, General Director of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture, Setyanto told that it needs to map the seeds needs and the governance to fulfill them. If they are not enough yet from the district, it needs to involve other seeds producers from other regions including from the balai benih hortikultura.

“We commit to support and empower the seeds producers there. In the food estate, garlic, onion, and potato would be developed. Of course it needs to involve badan penelitian dan pengembangan pertanian to know the success of the program in district of Humbang Hasundutan,” he said. (A2)