Case 6- North Sumatra, Indonesia - 2018

Indonesia, the 4th largest populated country in the world, is also the 4th leading mango producer in the world. In year 2013, the major fruit crops grown include Banana, Citrus, Papaya, Mango, Snake fruit, Mangosteen, Rambutan, Durian (Source: ICADIS, 2014).

Coming to citrus production, most of Indonesia’s 34 provinces grow citrus, of which five provinces dominate production, which include North Sumatra, East Java, South Sumatra, South Sulawesi and West Kalimantan. These provinces account for 70% of Indonesia’s citrus production.

However, the production is greatly affected (50-70% damage rate) by the attack of fruit flies. The fruit flies directly affect the fruit and cause damage due to the larvae feeding on the pulp causing a deterioration of their quality.

This limits production and hence an increase in production costs. In turn, there is an indirect effect on profitability due to quarantine restrictions imposed by importing countries to prevent the entry of the pest into its territory. The four major types of fruit flies found in Indonesia are B. carambolae, B. papaye, B. dorsalis and B.cucurbitae.

PT. AGRO MITRA SEJAHTERA and Ecoman, jointly collaborated to solve the current fruit fly issues in Purba Sinembah Estate, North Sumatra, using GFFB and matching technical support and training program.

Area Wide Control Program (AWCP) was implemented in 100 acres of Orange orchards to demonstrate to the growers and other stakeholders that fruit flies in their orchards can be controlled effectively by using GFFB together with proper professional training and technical support provided by Ecoman Biotech and its local partner.