Pontianak Oranges from Humble Beginnings to Commercial Success and the Revival of a Local Industry

The Origins of Pontianak Oranges

These immigrants, who had brought the seeds from China, initially planted the trees for their own consumption, using the fruit primarily within their communities. The climate and soil of Tebas, however, proved to be ideal for growing the oranges, leading to a surprising turn of events as the fruit quickly became popular beyond the immigrant communities.

As the orange trees began to thrive in the region, the local farmers started to recognize the potential of these fruits as a valuable agricultural product. 

By the early 1950s, the cultivation of the oranges expanded from being a small-scale personal endeavor to a more commercialized agricultural activity. The plantations spread over an area of approximately 1,000 hectares, and the oranges began to find their way to local markets. This shift from local consumption to broader agricultural production marked the beginning of Pontianak Oranges' journey toward becoming a staple of West Kalimantan's agricultural economy.

However, the growing success of the Pontianak Orange industry faced an unfortunate setback by the late 1960s. A series of disease outbreaks devastated the orange groves, wiping out large portions of the crops. This loss caused significant hardship for the farmers and the local economy, as the plantations that had once flourished were reduced to barren fields. Despite the grim situation, the local community, along with the support of government initiatives, remained determined to revive the industry. The resilience of the people of Tebas and their commitment to restoring the orange groves became crucial during this challenging period.

By the 1970s and 1980s, efforts to restore the Pontianak Oranges began to show signs of success. Farmers, aided by modern agricultural techniques and renewed enthusiasm, began replanting the trees. The revival was not easy, but with a combination of government support, better disease management practices, and the knowledge passed down from previous generations, the industry slowly regained momentum. By the 1990s, Pontianak Oranges once again became a prominent feature of West Kalimantan’s agricultural landscape.

The success of the revival efforts was further bolstered by growing demand for the fruit, both locally and in international markets. 

By the 1990s, the orange groves flourished once again, covering vast areas of land, and the fruit gained recognition as a symbol of the region. The return to prosperity not only helped restore the economy of Tebas but also solidified Pontianak Oranges as one of the region's most valuable agricultural exports, setting the stage for its continued success in the years to come.

The Rise and Fall of the Monopoly

As the demand for Pontianak Oranges grew, the prices began to fluctuate wildly, causing significant financial strain on farmers, especially during bountiful harvests. To stabilize the market, the government established a monopoly system in 1988. This was formalized by Governor Parjoko Suryokusumo's decree (SK No. 88/1988), which granted the exclusive right to purchase the oranges to PUSKUD and PT Humpuss, a company owned by Tommy Soeharto.

The monopoly was later transferred to the Coordinating Body for Orange Market Regulation (BKPTNJ), with PT Bima Citra Mandiri, owned by Bambang Trihatmodjo, becoming one of its key players. Farmers were required to sell their harvest to the Koperasi Unit Desa (KUD), which would then distribute the oranges to PT BCM. The prices for oranges were set between Rp 200 and Rp 650 per kilogram depending on quality.

Unfortunately, the monopoly led to unintended consequences. The overproduction of oranges by farmers who were drawn to the "guaranteed" price system caused the market to become oversaturated. As a result, the price of oranges plummeted, and many farmers found themselves unable to cover the costs of maintaining their crops. This triggered a massive decline in orange production, with many trees left abandoned or destroyed by disease and pests.

A New Beginning for Pontianak Oranges

By the early 1990s, the effects of the monopoly were felt deeply, with production of Pontianak Oranges dropping by 63%. Farmers, frustrated and angry, protested by dumping their unsold oranges at government offices. Meanwhile, PT BCM raked in massive profits, earning an estimated Rp 180 billion annually from the monopoly.

The monopoly was eventually dismantled in 1998, following a new government decree (SK No. 21/1998) that came as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Pontianak Orange industry.

Today, the people of Sambas are once again cultivating Pontianak Oranges, with over 10,000 to 20,000 hectares dedicated to this beloved fruit. Areas in Sambas Regency, including the districts of Pemangkat, Tebas, and Teluk Keramat, are prime locations for this revitalized industry. According to local development plans, there's still room for expansion, with an additional 7,844 hectares of land available for future cultivation.

One of the key strengths of Pontianak Oranges, as highlighted by the West Kalimantan Provincial Government, is their popularity both domestically and internationally, especially in ASEAN countries. The fruit has a long productive lifespan of 15 to 20 years and boasts one of the highest benefit-cost ratios (BCR) in the region, at 3.59. With relatively stable prices that continue to rise, the future of Pontianak Oranges looks promising.

-- Soi Ang