REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesian farmers are expected to be more creative to develop their products as government temporary bans several products of horticulture import. Started in January 2013, Ministry of Agriculture bans 11 kinds of horticulture, which are pineapple, papaya, melon, banana, durian, cabbage, pepper, broccoli, orchid, chrysanthemum, and heliconia.

"Importer usually use poor quality of local products as their reason to fill market with imported fruits and vegetables. This is an opportunity for horticulture industry to be more creative," Chairman of the Indonesian Horticultural Council, Benny Kusbini, said on Sunday. 

Kusbini said government must fix upstream infrastructure to enhance farmers production. "This policy will also encourage supermarkets and retailers to get their  horticulture supply directly from the producer," Head of Fruits and Vegetables Exporters Importers Association (Assibisindo), Kafi Kurnia, said.

Kurnia believes that the policy will not disrupt the supply-demand system as long as the substitute products are available. For example, Manado banana or plantain can substitute Cavendish banana.

However, Secretary General of Indonesia Horticulture Association (Perhoti), Anas D Sujsila, predicted the policy would only give benefit to traders and wholesalers, but abandon the farmers' interests.

Vice Chairman of Commission IV at House of Representatives, Firman Soebagyo, said the ban was overdue. The policy must be referred to Laws No. 13/2010 on restriction of several horticulture products.

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