Boosting Indonesia's Longan Industry: A Visit to Ahmad Janan and APKM
In a significant step towards enhancing Indonesia's longan production, Space Seed Holdings and CEO of PT Awina, Ananda Setiyo Iban Nanto, visited Ahmad Janan, the president of Asosiasi Petani Kelengkeng Mandiri (APKM), on August 18, 2025. The meeting took place in the culturally rich Yogyakarta region and aimed to foster discussions around the development model of the 'New Crystal' longan, a promising domestically improved variety.
The demand for longan in Indonesia is substantial, standing at approximately 7 million tons annually, yet domestic production lags behind, accounting for less than 1 million tons. This gap results in an import allocation of around 3.2 million tons. Longan is a highly profitable fruit for farmers, with stable prices exceeding 30,000 Indonesian rupiah per kilogram. The introduction of the 'New Crystal' variety, characterized by its robust cultivars and high-quality fruit, offers a fresh solution to meet rising demand.
The 'New Crystal' longan is a hybrid that combines strong local rootstock with high-quality fruiting branches. After about 2.5 years of planting, the first harvest can yield between 20 to 30 kilograms per tree, potentially increasing in subsequent harvests up to 70 kilograms. Such yields are predicted to reach the break-even point by the second harvest, providing an economically viable model for farmers.
The meeting included a comprehensive discussion on several key operational strategies:
1. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP):
They emphasized creating manuals for all aspects of cultivation, from planting to harvesting, ensuring a systematic approach to production.
2. Diversified Revenue Mechanisms:
The introduction of an aquaponics system and mixed cropping with rice was proposed to diversify income streams.
3. Human Resource Development:
Training programs were discussed, designed in collaboration with APKM's network of over 700 farmers to enhance skills and knowledge.
4. Supply Chain Development:
They focused on establishing efficient logistics for selection, refrigeration, and compliance with quality standards for both domestic and ASEAN markets.
5. Collaboration with Tourism and Agriculture:
They explored opportunities for agritourism, including fruit-picking activities and honey production from longan flowers.
6. Value Addition through Processing:
They highlighted the potential of processing fresh longan into dried fruit, juice, and extracting functional ingredients, such as polysaccharides and polyphenols.
7. Research Directions:
Focused on evaluating the functional properties of longan polysaccharides, they aim to advance research into cognitive function improvement and antioxidant capabilities, ultimately contributing to future food and supplement development.
To improve agricultural productivity, the discussion also included the implementation of enhanced irrigation systems, with water storage tanks and pumps to facilitate efficient water management amid dry seasons. Moreover, the potential for upcycling seeds found within longan fruit into research topics was considered. Additionally, beekeeping within the orchard's space to harness honey from longan flowers was suggested as an innovative approach to maximize resource utilization.
Kengo Suzuki, CEO of Space Seed Holdings, remarked, "We have confirmed the potential to simultaneously enhance farmer profitability and local employment through longan cultivation. We wish to design a comprehensive regional model in Yogyakarta that unites cultivation, processing, and research, ultimately creating a network connecting ASEAN and Japan."
Ahmad Janan, the president of APKM, confidently stated, "We believe in the domestic improved variety 'New Crystal' and are convinced that the collaboration between our association's network and Japan's technological and research capabilities will lead to a sustainable and profitable longan industry."
Space Seed Holdings plans to advance local implementation of these initiatives within the 2025 fiscal year, including recruiting partners and standardizing SOPs, while providing regular updates on land expansion and other developments.
PT Awina is an Indonesian company dedicated to resolving global issues related to social responsibilities, focusing on renewable energy solutions like wind and solar projects, waste management, and facilitating business collaborations between Japan, Indonesia, and international companies.
Space Seed Holdings aims to make science fiction a reality through investment, research, and enterprise creation, focusing on social implementation of fermentation and longevity technologies. Their goal is to develop necessary technologies for human habitation in space by 2040.
Background Context
The demand for longan in Indonesia is substantial, standing at approximately 7 million tons annually, yet domestic production lags behind, accounting for less than 1 million tons. This gap results in an import allocation of around 3.2 million tons. Longan is a highly profitable fruit for farmers, with stable prices exceeding 30,000 Indonesian rupiah per kilogram. The introduction of the 'New Crystal' variety, characterized by its robust cultivars and high-quality fruit, offers a fresh solution to meet rising demand.
The 'New Crystal' longan is a hybrid that combines strong local rootstock with high-quality fruiting branches. After about 2.5 years of planting, the first harvest can yield between 20 to 30 kilograms per tree, potentially increasing in subsequent harvests up to 70 kilograms. Such yields are predicted to reach the break-even point by the second harvest, providing an economically viable model for farmers.
Discussion Points
The meeting included a comprehensive discussion on several key operational strategies:
1. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP):
They emphasized creating manuals for all aspects of cultivation, from planting to harvesting, ensuring a systematic approach to production.
2. Diversified Revenue Mechanisms:
The introduction of an aquaponics system and mixed cropping with rice was proposed to diversify income streams.
3. Human Resource Development:
Training programs were discussed, designed in collaboration with APKM's network of over 700 farmers to enhance skills and knowledge.
4. Supply Chain Development:
They focused on establishing efficient logistics for selection, refrigeration, and compliance with quality standards for both domestic and ASEAN markets.
5. Collaboration with Tourism and Agriculture:
They explored opportunities for agritourism, including fruit-picking activities and honey production from longan flowers.
6. Value Addition through Processing:
They highlighted the potential of processing fresh longan into dried fruit, juice, and extracting functional ingredients, such as polysaccharides and polyphenols.
7. Research Directions:
Focused on evaluating the functional properties of longan polysaccharides, they aim to advance research into cognitive function improvement and antioxidant capabilities, ultimately contributing to future food and supplement development.
Innovative Management Practices
To improve agricultural productivity, the discussion also included the implementation of enhanced irrigation systems, with water storage tanks and pumps to facilitate efficient water management amid dry seasons. Moreover, the potential for upcycling seeds found within longan fruit into research topics was considered. Additionally, beekeeping within the orchard's space to harness honey from longan flowers was suggested as an innovative approach to maximize resource utilization.
Leadership Perspectives
Kengo Suzuki, CEO of Space Seed Holdings, remarked, "We have confirmed the potential to simultaneously enhance farmer profitability and local employment through longan cultivation. We wish to design a comprehensive regional model in Yogyakarta that unites cultivation, processing, and research, ultimately creating a network connecting ASEAN and Japan."
Ahmad Janan, the president of APKM, confidently stated, "We believe in the domestic improved variety 'New Crystal' and are convinced that the collaboration between our association's network and Japan's technological and research capabilities will lead to a sustainable and profitable longan industry."
Looking Ahead
Space Seed Holdings plans to advance local implementation of these initiatives within the 2025 fiscal year, including recruiting partners and standardizing SOPs, while providing regular updates on land expansion and other developments.
About PT Awina
PT Awina is an Indonesian company dedicated to resolving global issues related to social responsibilities, focusing on renewable energy solutions like wind and solar projects, waste management, and facilitating business collaborations between Japan, Indonesia, and international companies.
About Space Seed Holdings
Space Seed Holdings aims to make science fiction a reality through investment, research, and enterprise creation, focusing on social implementation of fermentation and longevity technologies. Their goal is to develop necessary technologies for human habitation in space by 2040.
Topics Business Technology）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.