DRAGON FRUIT AS A LEADING LOCAL COMMODITY: STRATEGIES FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS

Abstract

Sambas Regency is the largest centre for dragon fruit production in West Kalimantan, accounting  for  92.7  per  cent  of  the  province’s total  production  in  2022.  However,  this dominance in production has not been matched by a commensurate improvement in farmers’ welfare, as the supply chain structure remains rudimentary, leaving farmers in the position of price takers. This study aims to analyse strategies for developing dragon fruit as a leading local commodity capable of strengthening the region’s competitiveness whilst enhancing the economic sovereignty of border communities in Sambas Regency. The method employed is a literature review with a descriptive-analytical analysis of seven relevant scientific sources. The findings indicate that the transformation from ‘price taker’ to ‘price maker’ can be achieved through three main approaches: zero-waste-based product downstreaming; the implementation of GAP certification as a tool for price enhancement; and the strengthening of vertical and horizontal supply chain integration grounded in endogenous development theory. With these strategies, Sambas dragon fruit has the potential to evolve beyond being merely an agricultural commodity to become a strategic instrument for the sovereign and sustainable economic development of the border region.