What is it about?
Limes are popular in Indonesia not only for their taste but also for their health benefits. Our study looked at a new lime variety called ‘Nimas Agrihorti’, which was developed to meet the growing demand for plants that can be used both as food and for health purposes. We wanted to know what makes this lime special and whether it can be profitable for farmers. We found that ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ produces medium-sized, yellow-skinned fruits that are naturally sweet, rich in vitamin C, and have very low acidity. This makes it easier to consume and potentially useful for people with sensitive stomachs or special diets. The fruit also contains bioactive compounds that are linked to health benefits such as boosting the immune system and protecting against certain diseases. From the farming side, the results are also promising. Over two years, farmers could earn nearly three times more than their production costs, showing that this lime is not only healthy but also profitable. This means that ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ has the potential to support both public health and farmer livelihoods in Indonesia.
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Photo by Irina on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This study matters because it introduces a new lime variety that is not only good for health but also profitable for farmers. Unlike common limes, Nimas Agrihorti has a naturally sweet taste, high vitamin C, and very low acidity, making it easier to consume and useful for special diets or health products. By proving that this variety can give farmers high returns while meeting the growing demand for natural health-based foods, our work shows how agriculture can support both better nutrition and stronger rural economies.
Perspectives
For me, this study is special because it connects science with the daily lives of farmers and consumers. I was inspired by how a single lime variety can offer both health benefits and economic opportunities. Through this work, I learned that improving local cultivars is not only about increasing yield but also about creating value that people truly need—safe, healthy, and profitable crops. I hope this research encourages more investment in developing local fruit varieties that can compete with imports while supporting farmer livelihoods.
Zainuri Hanif
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Characterization and Economic Feasibility of Citrus aurantifolia ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ Cultivar as a Potential Biopharmaceutical Commodity in Indonesia, Buitenzorg Journal of Tropical Science, June 2025, Innovation Centre for Tropical Science,
DOI: 10.70158/buitenzorg.v2i1.17.
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