Horticulture is one of the potential agricultural sub-sectors and is encouraged to improve the welfare of farmers, regional economy, national economy and increase foreign exchange through exports. The horticulture sub-sector in the first and second quarters of 2021 recorded growth of 3.01% and 1.84%. This indicates a very good contribution of the horticulture sub-sector to the structure of National GDP. In 2020, horti-culture exports reached USD 645.48 million, an increase of 37.75% compared to 2019. This increase in exports was dominated by fruit commodities during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The realized value of fruit exports in 2020 was recorded at USD 389.9 million, an increase of 30.31% compared to 2019. Export-oriented Horticulture Development is one of the priority programs with the aim of increasing production, quality, and continuity of horti-cultural products. The program is carried out through the develop-ment of regional superior com-modity production centers that are directed at increasing exports and import substitution through partnerships between farmers and business actors.
Generally fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. More specifi-cally, horticulture focuses on planting fruit plants (pomology), flower plants (floriculture), vegetable plants (olericulture), medicinal plants (biophar-maceuticals), and gardens (land-scapes).
The horticulture subsector is an important component in agri-cultural development that con-tinues to grow and develop over time. The market for these commodity products is not only to meet domestic market needs, but also as an export commodity that can generate foreign exchange for the country.
On the other hand, consumers are increasingly aware of the impor-tance of horticultural products which are not only to meet food needs alone, but also have benefits for health, aesthetics and pro-tecting the environment. However, behind that, challenges with global issues such as the free market (including the implementation of provisions in the MEA agreement) and climate change are challenges that need to be faced immediately so that Indonesian horticultural products continue to grow and develop.
Horticultural plants are potential commodities that have high eco-nomic value and market demand. According to the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture Number: 511/Kpts/PD310/9/2006, the commodities fostered by the Directorate General of Horti-culture include 323 types of commodities consisting of: 60 types of fruits, 80 types of vege-table commodities, 66 types of medicinal plant commodities and 117 types of floriculture com-modities. Therefore, the function of horticultural plants is, First, horticultural plants have very good prospects, because they have very high economic value in the market both in Indonesia and abroad. Second, horticultural plants can increase appreciation for food and medicinal commodities.
Horticultural products are one of the agricultural commodities that have the potential and oppor-tunities to be developed and horti-cultural plants become superior products that can improve the welfare of farmers in Indonesia.
Sales of horticultural plants enter a large market so that income will also be large. Our society must be able to produce varieties that have competitiveness and technology that can maintain or even increase prime production so that they can compete in local and international markets. Sulawesi, especially South Sulawesi, has a variety of vegetables (Lokana shallots, Tampaning chilies and Salu Duo) and fruits (durian, passion fruit, mangosteen, Kepok bananas, Selayar orange, pineapples, and Barangan bananas) that have been cultivated by farmers for gene-rations with very low production from their genetic potential because in addition to very simple cultivation techniques, they also use seeds that are produced simply.
- True potato seed and true shallot seed production technique
- Micro tuber production of shallots dan potato crops
- Seed production technology of chilli, shallots, passiflora, banana, pineapple, durian and citrus indigenous south Sulawesi.
- Producing solutive innovations to solve various problems in agriculture
- Establish sustainable collaborations to conduct research
- Produce scientific articles, books and other forms for the benefit of the community
Conducts research and development in the field of tropical orchids and horticulture. This includes studying the diversity, ecology and conservation of tropical orchids, chilli, shallot, citrus and as well as developing new horticultural techniques to grow and cultivate these plants. The group also aims to promote the sustainable use of tropical orchids and their products, and educate the public on the importance of these plants