Padang Aro, (Antaranews Sumbar) - South Solok District, West Sumatra developed pisang roti (a kind of banana namely roti) since 2015 as one of superior commodities to be processed into various types of food.
Head of Horticulture Department of Agriculture Office of South Solok, Risa Herfina in here on Monday (June 25) said that local government has distributed 1,000 seedlings to the community in 2017 and 450 seedlings this year for the development of pisang roti.
"Pisang roti is an original plant of South Solok and we have developed it widely since 2015. Moreover, it can be processed into various foods which will be made as typical souvenirs of the region," she explained.
It is currently focused in Wonorejo, Manggiu Sangir and Pauah Duo for its development.
Currently, she said that pisang roti has been processed into various snacks such as chips, donuts, cakes, serundeng and jerky from the heart of bananas.
She noted that the Unit of Agricultural Product Development Services (UP3HP) processed pisang roti into a variety of snacks during Eid al-Fitr because there are many requests from costumers.
"Processed food of pisang roti is quite popular so it is suitable to be used for tourism support," she said.
Pisang roti itself begins to have a heart after the age of 180-210 days after being planted and it can be harvested after 90 days.
"If it has started to harvest it will be sustainable and no need to wait for a long time because its seeds will be quite a lot," she remarked.
The size of pisang roti is also large that reaches the length of 19-25 centimeters and its weighing reaches 240-480 grams.
Each bunch contains 15-26 pieces with a bunch weight of 3.5-7.9 kilograms, while each bunches has 5-7 bunch and weighs up to 55 kilograms.
Each hectare can be planted with 800 to 900 stems with the production per hectare is reaching 50 tons. (cha)