Peluang Pengembangan Agave Sebagai Sumber Serat Alam - SANTOSO, BUDI (Puslitbang Perkebunan, 2009)
ABSTRAKAgave merupakan tanaman penghasil serat alam potensial dengan keunggulan serat kuat, tahan terhadap kadar garam tinggi, dapat diperbaharui dan ramah lingkungan. Serat alam agave banyak dimanfaatkan antara lain dalam industri rumah tangga, bahan interior mobil dan tali-temali. Produksi serat agave dunia pernah mencapai 300.000 ton yang dihasilkan dari Brazil, China, Kenya, Tanzania, Mada-gaskar, Indonesia dan Thailand. Agave masuk di Indonesia pada awal abad ke-19, yaitu sebelum perang dunia ke II. Pada tahun 1939, salah satu perkebunan besar di Indonesia telah menanam agave seluas 10.000 hektar dengan produksi serat sebesar 23.000 ton, dan Indonesia pernah menghasilkan serat agave sebanyak 80.000 ton. Namun, dalam perkembangan selanjutnya pertanaman agave semakin menurun. Pada tahun 2007 kebutuhan serat agave internasional 319.000 ton, namun produksi serat hanya mencapai 281.800 ton sehingga masih kekurangan pasokan sebanyak 37.200 ton. Kebutuhan serat agave dalam negeri periode 2006-2009 mencapai 1.982 ton/tahun; sebagian besar, yaitu 1.340 ton dipasok dari luar negeri, sisanya 642 ton diperoleh dari dalam negeri. Rendahnya harga serat agave merupakan salah satu kendala pengembangan di dalam negeri; harga serat agave dalam negeri hanya Rp. 5.000,-/kg dibandingkan dengan harga serat impor mencapai Rp. 9.000,-/kg. Input teknologi untuk mengembangkan industri serat agave sebenarnya sudah cukup memadai dan apabila tanaman ini diusahakan dengan asupan teknologi yang ada maka usahatani agave memberikan keuntungan yang cukup signifikan dengan B/C ratio 1,29. Dengan demikian pengembangan tanaman agave di dalam negeri masih prospektif, terutama di daerah yang secara tradisional sudah mengembangkan agave, seperti di Jawa Timur yang memiliki agroklimat, kesuburan tanah dan jenis tanah yang sesuai, seperti di Kabupaten Pamekasan, Sumenep, Sampang, Banyu-wangi, Jember, Lumajang, Malang, Blitar, Tulung-agung, Trenggalek, Pacitan, Ngawi, Tuban, Bojonegoro dan Lamongan.Kata kunci: Agave cantala, A. sisalana, serat alam, lahan batu kapur, industri kelengkapan mobil.ABSTRACT Prospect of Agave Development as A Source of Natural FiberAgave is a prospective natural fiber-producing crop with superior fiber strength, resistant to high salinity, can be renewable, and environmentally friendly. Agave natural fiber is widely used among others in household industry, interior materials and rigging. The world production of agave fiber had reached 300,000 tons produced by Brazil, China, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagaskar, Indonesia, and Thailand. Agave was first introduced to Indonesia in the early 19th century that is before the World War II. In 1939, one of the big estates in Indonesia planted 10,000 acres of agave with fiber production of 23,000 tons, and Indonesia had produced agave fiber as much as 80,000 tons. However, in the further development the cultivation of agave was declined. In 2007, the international demand of agave fiber was 319,000 tons; nevertheless, the fiber production was only reached 281,800 tons, so still shortages of 37,200 tons. In 2006-2009, the domestic demand of agave fiber reached 1,982 tons/year; most of 1,340 tons were supplied from abroad, the rest (642 tons) was supplied from the country. One of the constraints in the national development of agave fiber was the low of price. The domestic price of agave fiber was only Rp. 5,000/kg compared to the price of fiber import (Rp. 9, 000,-/kg). In fact, technological input to improve the fiber industry of agave was quite sufficient, if this crop is cultivated with existing technology input; thus, the agave farming system provides significant benefit with the B/C ratio of 1:29. Hence, the domestic development of agave is still prospective especially in areas that traditionally had developed agave as in East Java that has suitable agro-climate, soil fertility, and soil type such as in Pamekasan, Sumenep, Sampang, Banyuwangi, Jember, Lumajang, Malang, Blitar, Tulungagung, Trenggalek, Pacitan, Ngawi, Tuban, Bojonegoro, and Lamongan districts.Key word: Agave cantala, A. sisalana, natural fiber, lime stones area, car assesories industries.