Golden Harvest Beneath Kelud The Dried Pineapple Revolution
javadiscovery.com – At the foot of Mount Kelud, where volcanic soil meets hard work, a quiet revolution is growing—one slice of pineapple at a time.
The Heart of Kediri’s Pineapple Country
Stretching under the slopes of Mount Kelud, vast plantations of golden pineapples shimmer under the sun. This is Ngancar Village—an agricultural heartland that not only feeds Kediri’s economy but now eyes the world. Once known mainly for its juicy fresh pineapples, Ngancar is transforming its local pride into global potential through dried pineapple innovation.
Selected as one of the Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA) 2025, Ngancar receives not just funding but also crucial training in modern dehydration techniques, packaging, and marketing strategies. For farmers and local entrepreneurs, this initiative is more than corporate social responsibility—it’s hope blooming from volcanic ash.
Rising from the Ashes of Kelud
When Mount Kelud erupted in 2014, ash blanketed the fertile lands and destroyed the plantations that had thrived since the 1990s. But the spirit of Ngancar’s farmers proved stronger than the eruption. Guided by the Langgeng Mulyo Agricultural Cooperative, they replanted, reorganized, and redefined how pineapple farming should work—sustainably, strategically, and continuously.
Through strict control of planting schedules and seed quality, they achieved stability in production and pricing. According to the Kediri Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2024 alone, pineapple harvests reached over 2 million quintals, with Ngancar contributing a staggering 93 percent of that yield. It’s no exaggeration to say that Ngancar is the pineapple capital of East Java.
The Sweet Symbol of Prosperity
Travelers visiting Ngancar will find roadside stalls lined with pineapples—plump, aromatic, and varied. Among them, the legendary Pasir Kelud 1 (PK-1) variety stands out for its intense sweetness and fragrance. Priced around IDR 20,000 per fruit, it represents more than just a product—it’s a badge of pride for the community.
But Ngancar’s story doesn’t stop at fresh fruit. Local entrepreneurs have been experimenting with creative ways to extend pineapple’s shelf life and value: chips, syrup, jam, pies, and now, dried pineapple. Small businesses such as Dwiditya Jaya in Karangrejo exemplify this new wave of agro-creativity, where local produce meets innovation.
Dried Pineapple and the Promise of Global Markets
The transition from fresh to dried pineapple marks a new era for Ngancar’s economy. Unlike fresh fruit, dried pineapple lasts longer, travels farther, and attracts new markets. According to data from the Government of the Netherlands, Europe’s demand for dried tropical fruits is steadily increasing—opening a golden window for villages like Ngancar to export not just raw produce, but processed excellence.
Locally, the potential is just as strong. Tourists visiting the Kelud foothills often prefer practical, durable souvenirs, and dried pineapple fits that demand perfectly. It’s sweet, symbolic, and easy to carry—everything a traveler looks for in a memory of Java.
Empowering Villages, One Slice at a Time
Through Astra’s DSA program, Ngancar’s pineapple farmers are no longer just cultivators—they’re value creators. Dried pineapple is more than a product; it’s a story of resilience, knowledge transfer, and sustainable development. By combining traditional farming with modern agro-technology, Ngancar is redefining what it means to be a prosperous rural village in the 21st century.
Perhaps one day, a pack of dried pineapple from Ngancar will sit on a European supermarket shelf—a small but powerful symbol of how a village beneath Mount Kelud turned sweetness into strength.
