POTENSI USAHA KEBUN APEL PANEN 30 TON/HEKTAR, PETANI MERAUP OMZET RATUSAN JUTA

Summary

This video script showcases the challenges and innovations in apple farming in Batu, Indonesia. It highlights the struggles farmers face, such as declining apple yields due to diseases and unpredictable weather patterns. The script also emphasizes the potential of agro-tourism, with apple-picking tours boosting farmers' income. Various apple varieties are introduced, each with unique traits, and the script details the intensive care required for apple orchards. The message encourages support from the government to sustain the industry, alongside promoting the region's apple-based tourism as a sustainable alternative for local farmers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The introduction of tourism in PT Abol has helped increase farmers' income by improving the sale price of their apples.
• 😀 The owner of the farm, Gus Widiarto, is both an apple farmer and a vegetable farmer. He runs his farm in Tulungrejo Village, Batu City.
• 😀 Apple farming in the area used to yield 30-35 tons per hectare, but now yields only about 15 tons per hectare due to various challenges.
• 😀 The introduction of apple-picking tourism has significantly boosted the price of apples for farmers. The direct sale price is much higher for tourists than selling to middlemen.
• 😀 In the past, Malang's apple industry was thriving, particularly between the 1990s and 2005, with large yields and high demand. However, after 2005, the industry faced challenges such as changing weather patterns and the rise of imported fruits.
• 😀 Apples grown in the Batu area are typically harvested twice a year, and some varieties can be harvested three times annually.
• 😀 The main apple varieties in Batu are: Manalagi (sweet), Ana (tart-sweet), Green Smith (used for cider), RB (Room Beauty, tart-sweet), and Wanglin (from China, sweet with a hint of tartness).
• 😀 Common apple diseases in the region include 'canker' (which damages tree trunks), 'Hamatrip' (which affects blossoms), and 'scale insects' (which cause fruit rot). A new disease, 'silver,' has emerged, causing silver-colored leaves and threatening the trees.
• 😀 Maintaining apple trees requires careful pruning, pest control, and disease management. Seasonal changes like heavy rain or drought can increase the difficulty of maintenance.
• 😀 Despite challenges, the Mitra Apel farm continues to attract a significant number of tourists, particularly during holidays, with up to 1,000 visitors per day. Visitors enjoy picking apples and other fruits like strawberries and citrus.
• 😀 The farm emphasizes hygiene by allowing visitors to pick apples directly, ensuring that the fruit is untouched by workers and can be consumed safely.

Q & A

How has the introduction of tourism at PT Abel impacted apple farmers?

The introduction of tourism at PT Abel has significantly increased the selling price of apples for farmers. For example, a farmer who typically earns between 60 to 70 million IDR per hectare can now earn more by offering apple picking tours, with earnings of up to 100 million IDR per hectare.

What are the main apple varieties grown in the Batu City area?

The main apple varieties grown in Batu City include: 1) 'Manalagi' which is sweet, 2) 'Ana' which has a sweet-sour taste and softer flesh, 3) 'Green Smith' used for apple vinegar, 4) 'Room Beauty' with a sour-sweet taste, and 5) 'Wanglin' from China with a sweet-sour flavor.

What challenges have apple farmers faced in recent years?

Apple farmers have faced multiple challenges, including diseases that affect apple trees, unpredictable weather patterns, and high costs of pest control and maintenance. Additionally, foreign fruits have increased competition, leading to a decline in the apple industry's profitability.

What is the average yield per hectare for apple trees in the current conditions?

Currently, apple trees yield around 15 tons per hectare, which is a significant reduction from the previous average of 35 tons per hectare due to factors like disease and climate change.

What diseases have been affecting apple trees, and how do they impact the harvest?

Apple trees are affected by several diseases including 'canker' (which causes red spots on branches), 'Hamatrip' (which affects flowers), and 'scale insects' (which damage the skin of apples). New diseases like 'silver disease' have also emerged, which discolor the leaves and can lead to the destruction of infected trees.

How does the local climate affect apple farming?

The local climate poses a challenge due to inconsistent rainfall patterns, which cause issues during the flowering season. In addition, extreme weather like high rainfall and dry spells leads to diseases and affects the overall yield and health of apple trees.

What role does the government play in supporting apple farmers?

Farmers hope for more support from the government, particularly in controlling apple tree diseases and reducing the high costs of pesticides and fertilizers. They also wish for better assistance in managing the challenges caused by climate change and competition from imported fruits.

What are the advantages of the apple-picking tourism model?

Apple-picking tourism provides a unique, hands-on experience for visitors, allowing them to pick apples directly from the trees. This model also helps boost the local economy by increasing the income of farmers, with a significant price difference between apples sold directly to tourists and those sold to middlemen.

What other types of fruit picking are offered in the Batu City area?

In addition to apples, tourists can also participate in strawberry and citrus (mandarin orange) picking in the Batu City area. These activities are popular among visitors seeking to experience local agriculture.

What future hopes do the farmers have for the apple farming industry in Batu City?

Farmers hope for better management of pests and diseases, reduced pesticide and fertilizer costs, and more support from the agricultural department or government. They want to ensure the survival and growth of the apple farming industry in the region, alongside the tourism model that has shown success.