KBRN, Banda Aceh: Amid efforts to establish sustainable economic sources, Nilam (Patchouli) has emerged as a promising commodity.
This essential oil-producing plant demonstrates significant potential, particularly for farmers in Aceh.
One of patchouli’s most attractive aspects is its high economic value. In development terms, the farmer exchange rate measures the ratio between revenue earned and capital spent.
Secretary of the Essential Oil Research Center (ARC) at Syiah Kuala University, Elly Sufriadi, explained that the farmer exchange rate for patchouli in Aceh can exceed 300 percent.
“This means that farmers can earn profits three times their initial investment,” Elly said during an interactive dialogue with RRI on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Currently, patchouli is the only commodity in Aceh that boasts such a high farmer exchange rate, as other commodities have yet to reach similar profitability levels.
The cultivation cost per hectare for patchouli ranges between IDR 20-30 million, depending on labor utilization.
However, farmers can reduce costs further by managing the land themselves. From one hectare of patchouli plantation, farmers can produce 180-200 kilograms of patchouli oil. The current market price stands at approximately IDR 1.5 million per kilogram.
A rough calculation suggests that one hectare of patchouli plantation can generate revenue exceeding IDR 300 million, a particularly attractive figure amid price fluctuations in other commodities.
As a result, many stakeholders are considering patchouli as a stable and sustainable source of income. Moreover, patchouli also has a growing export market, offering further economic opportunities.
Elly emphasized that the economic potential of patchouli in Aceh must be optimized. “This opportunity needs to be maximized as part of the regional development strategy,” he concluded. ***
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