REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG ARO -- The administration of South Solok District, West Sumatra, plans to develop a mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana L.) plantation to boost agrotourism, Vera Septaria, head of the district's horticulture division, livestock and fisheries office, stated here, Friday.
"There are now at least 186.5 hectares of mangosteen plantations in four sub-districts," she remarked.
South Solok is located about 135 kilometers from Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province.
The two sub-districts of Sangir Batang and Koto Parik Gadang Diateh are the main centers for mangosteen farming, covering an area of 50 hectares and 115 hectares, respectively. The other two sub-districts are Sangir and Sangir Jujuan.
The mangosteen fruits at the plantation in Sangir Batang have been harvested. In the meantime, the mangosteen plantation in Koto Parik Gadang Diateh is expected to be ready for harvesting by 2018.
The production of mangosteen has reached 300 tons, Vera stated.
In addition to being a cultivation plant, mangosteen is also planted to recover 15 hectares of critical land area.
The district administration has named mangosteen as its main commodity for food and medicine.
In November 2014, the Ministry of Industry also established South Solok as the center for mangosteen production.
Besides mangosteen, South Solok is developing other varieties of fruits such as oranges, mangoes, and durian.
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