Development prospect of cocoa plant in East Sebatik Subdistrict, Nunukan District

Abstract

Rahayu SP, Sumarmiyati. 2015. Development prospect of cocoa plant in East Sebatik Subdistrict, Nunukan District. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1 (2): 373-377. Development prospect of the cocoa plantation in East Kalimantan is currently covering 23,592 ha, yielding 23,296 ton of cocoa annually. Statistic data shows that within 5 year period (2009-2013), the harvested plantation in Nunukan covered averagely an area of 7936 ha/year, producing 9,513 ton of cocoa/year. The cocoa production, however, decreased annually (-3,5801), at an average price of Rp.16,000,-. Whereas in Sebatik sub-district, the plantation occupied an area of 6,491 ha in 2012, with annual production of 2,243 kg at an average price of Rp. 19,000,- (dry beans). The decreasing production was because many cocoa farmers converted their land into oil palm plantation, as oil palm plantation provided relatively much revenue with lower maintenance. In addition, cocoa plantation suffers from pest and disease infestation and low productivity due the plant old age requiring extra maintenance, Considering land area potential (21.35%), proper fertilization using NPK, which can solve the main problem in cocoa plantation, can increase cocoa production by 550 kg/he annually (64.71%) and the farmer’s income up to Rp. 8,291,000.- /ha annually (79.33% income increase). Cocoa plant development is really feasible as it is seen from marginal B/C of 4.8.