Development prospect of Lai fruit (Durio kutejensis) as local varieties in Kutai Kartanegara District, East Kalimantan

Abstract

Rizal M, Rahayu SP, Supriyono A. 2015. Development prospect of Lai fruit (Durio kutejensis) as local varieties in Kutai Kartanegara District, East Kalimantan. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 1497-1501. Durio kutejensis (Hass.) Becc is well-known as Lai. This plant is one of the durian relatives which is perspective to be developed as a superior commodity of East Kalimantan. The prospect of Lai commodity is very good considering the increasing demand and limited competitors because it can only grow and produce well in East Kalimantan. The purpose of this study was to provide information about the prospect for the development of Lai fruit as one of the local varieties in East Kalimantan. The research carried out in Batuah Village, Loa Janan Sub-District, Kutai Kartanegara District, East Kalimantan Province in 2014. The type of data used was literature study and field study, further described and analyzed qualitatively. The results showed that there were three varieties of Lai fruit (Lai Batuah, Lai Kutai dan Lai Mahakam) cultivated in the study sites and had respective advantages and preferred by many consumers in the country and abroad. Based on a sample of Lai Mahakam fruit sent in the 2009/2010 season, consumers and businesses in Singapore showed a good response and wanted to do transactions continuously.