Developing a Pepper Nursery in Harapan Jaya

Harapan Jaya Village continues to explore local economic opportunities. Yusuf, aged 43, is developing a pepper nursery in Sungai Makam hamlet to address limited planting material for a crop that could improve community income on peatland.

“We have planted 1/4 hectare of pepper in an oil palm plantation in Harapan Jaya. The plants are 4 years old and climb the oil palm trunks. So far, we harvest about 1 kg per plant each year,” Yusuf told Yayasan Gambut on Friday, 11/12/2020.

Pepper cuttings in Harapan Jaya Village. Photo: Yusuf, 2020

According to Yusuf, well-managed pepper can potentially produce 8 kg per plant annually after reaching 7 years of age. Planting 1000 pepper plants on 1 hectare could therefore yield 8 tonnes each year. At the reported price of Rp 100,000 per kg, he estimated potential annual revenue of Rp 800 million.

The growers plan to intercrop pepper with areca palm and forest trees. Yusuf considers dadap suitable as a companion tree but is also interested in other species with ecological value. Pepper would provide an economic component within an agroforestry system in Harapan Jaya, which lies in Tempuling District, Indragiri Hilir Regency.