Bondowoso, 26 November 2022 – The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia has designated Bondowoso as one of the demonstration plots for cultivating export-quality Cavendish bananas, with PT Great Giant Pineapple (GGP) serving as the off-taker to ensure market absorption of the commodities produced.

The first harvest, held at the Agriculture and Food Security Agency’s nursery demonstration plot in Maskuning Kulon Village, Pujer District, was marked by high praise from the Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (Mendes PDTT) Abdul Halim Iskandar, who lauded the bananas’ superior quality.

“Cavendish bananas from the Bondowoso demonstration plot are the best among other plots in East Java,” Minister Halim said.

Minister Halim encouraged Bondowoso Regent Salwa Arifin to expand the plantation area, emphasizing strong government support for Cavendish banana cultivation, including assistance through BUMDes to strengthen coordination and sustainability.

Echoing this sentiment, East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak noted that Bondowoso’s Cavendish bananas outperformed other demonstration plots in the province, underscoring the region’s potential to become a national production hub.

“With this quality, Bondowoso can go beyond being known for tape and coffee—get ready to become the Bondowoso Banana Republic,” Emil remarked.

The inaugural harvest was attended by Minister Halim, Deputy Governor Emil, Regent Salwa Arifin, Regional Secretary Bambang Soekwanto, and officials from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Villages PDTT, along with several regents from East Java and Aceh.

The harvest marked the success of 2,425 Cavendish seedlings planted across 1.6 hectares on January 29, 2022. “After 10 months, we can now celebrate the first harvest of Cavendish bananas from Bondowoso,” said Hendri Widotono, Head of Bondowoso Dispertapang.