Unhas Prepares Feasibility Study for Durian Development in Bahari Tomini Raya
Durian is more often discussed in terms of its taste, varieties, or harvest season. But in Bahari Tomini Raya, Parigi Moutong Regency, the conversation around durian is now moving further: is this commodity feasible enough to be developed as one of the region’s economic drivers?
That is the question to be addressed through the Feasibility Study on the Economic Development of Durian Plantations in the Bahari Tomini Raya Transmigration Area, Parigi Moutong Regency, Central Sulawesi.
The Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Universitas Hasanuddin has appointed the team responsible for carrying out the study through a decree dated July 7, 2026.
The implementation team is led by Andi Syastiawan, SP., M.Si., a lecturer in the Applied Bachelor’s Program in Food Agribusiness at Universitas Hasanuddin, who has been appointed as Team Leader and Agribusiness Expert for the study.
He will work alongside Fakhrul Indra Hermawan, SE., M.Si. as the Economics Expert, Dr. Rahmansyah Dermawan, SP., M.Si. as the Agronomy Expert, and Muh. Farrel Prayoga Ardiansyah, SP., M.Agb. as the GIS Operator. The composition reflects the expertise required in the study proposal, which brings together agribusiness, economics, agronomy, and spatial mapping. �
Proposal FS_Durian_OK.pdf
The study also involves Prof. dr. Muh. Nasrum Massi, Ph.D., Sp.MK(K) and Prof. Dr. Ir. Jasmal A. Syamsu, M.Si., IPU., ASEAN.Eng. as members of the Steering Team.
More Than Just Calculating How Many Durian Trees Can Be Planted
The feasibility study goes beyond questions of land area or production capacity. Durian development will be assessed from several perspectives, including agroclimatic conditions, soil and water quality, site suitability, cultivation technology, production input requirements, farmer readiness, and supporting infrastructure. �
Proposal FS_Durian_OK.pdf
The market will also be an important part of the study.
The team will examine demand, prices, quality standards, supply chains, distribution, and opportunities for developing durian both as fresh fruit and processed products. In this sense, the study is not only about how durian is grown, but also about how the harvest can eventually move from producers to the market. �
Proposal FS_Durian_OK.pdf
Financial viability is another key component. Investment requirements and operating costs will be assessed alongside projected production and revenues. Indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Benefit-Cost Ratio (Net B/C), Payback Period, and Break-Even Point (BEP) will be used to determine whether the proposed plantation development is financially feasible. �
Proposal FS_Durian_OK.pdf
Looking at the Plantation as a Business
Durian trees require time before they begin producing fruit. Developing a durian plantation, therefore, cannot simply be calculated based on how many trees can be planted.
The financial model used in the study will take into account initial investment costs, maintenance expenses during the non-bearing period, production costs once the trees begin bearing fruit, harvesting and post-harvest costs, as well as the economic life of the plantation.
The analysis will also consider several scenarios. A baseline scenario will use the most realistic assumptions, while an optimistic scenario will consider improved productivity and prices. A pessimistic scenario will examine conditions such as delayed production, declining productivity or prices, and rising costs. �
Proposal FS_Durian_OK.pdf
Beyond the plantation itself, another important question must also be addressed: who will manage the business once development begins?
The readiness of farmer groups, cooperatives or village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), the potential establishment of farmer corporations, access to financing, partnership models, and the availability of off-takers will all be assessed to determine the most appropriate institutional model. �
Proposal FS_Durian_OK.pdf
In other words, the feasibility of durian development will not be determined solely by whether the trees can grow well. There must also be a viable market, capable institutions, realistic financing, and a business chain that can operate sustainably over the long term.
One Month to Build a Basis for Decision-Making
The study is scheduled to be completed within one month, with several experts working in parallel to ensure that all aspects can be assessed within the available timeframe. �
Proposal FS_Durian_OK.pdf
The process begins with preparation and an initial review, followed by data collection, field surveys, and sample collection. Testing and analysis of the various feasibility aspects will then be conducted. The findings will ultimately be brought together to formulate a decision, identify development prerequisites, prepare a roadmap, and provide recommendations. �
Proposal FS_Durian_OK.pdf
Ultimately, the study must arrive at one important conclusion: feasible or not feasible.
However, the decision is not simply a yes-or-no answer. Each aspect may be categorized as feasible, feasible with prerequisites, or not yet feasible. Where prerequisites remain, the study will identify what needs to be addressed before development can proceed. �
Proposal FS_Durian_OK.pdf
The findings are expected to serve as one of the references for the Ministry of Transmigration and local government in determining the direction of durian plantation-based economic development in Bahari Tomini Raya.
Because turning durian into a driver of the regional economy is not only about whether the trees can grow. It is also about whether the plantation can be properly managed, whether the harvest has a market, and whether the business can generate sustainable benefits for the surrounding community.