Province

Central Kalimantan

Overview Economy

Central Kalimantan

Central Kalimantan, situated in the heart of Borneo island, is a province with Palangkaraya as its capital city. With a population of 2.75 million people in 2023, it stands as the least populous province on the island. The majority of this population identifies as Muslims. 

Central Kalimantan is notably home to the Dayak people, who possess a culture of unique traditions and customs with its subgroups of Ngaju, Ot Danum, and the Ma’anyan. Several ethnic groups from outside the island also live in the province, such as the Malay, Madurese, Sundanese, Balinese, Bugis, Batak, and Flores people. Additionally, Central Kalimantan’s culture is defined by its cuisine, which gained the recognition of the Tourism Ministry in 2023. The province’s notable dishes include fried lais fish, roasted catfish (patin), juhu rotan baung, kandas sarai, and jelawat soup.

North Kalimantan’s culture is also shaped by its history as a trading center, which has led to influences from Malay, Chinese, and Arab cultures. Subsequently, the province has drawn a considerable number of tourists, totaling 1.8 million in 2023, surpassing the initial target of 800,000.

Furthermore, the province boasts an abundance of natural wonders, including rainforests, rivers, and exotic wildlife. The world’s largest tropical rainforest lies in North Kalimantan, harboring an array of plant and animal species endemic to Borneo. Additionally, rivers such as the Kahayan and Kapuas rivers have functioned as lifelines for the local communities, providing transportation, irrigation, and sustaining livelihoods.

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Economic development

Central Kalimantan is driven by various sectors that have contributed to its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). In 2023, the province’s GRDP was primarily driven by the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector, with a contribution of Rp 23 trillion. This sector also experienced a growth rate of 4.41 percent in 2023 from 3.63 percent in 2022.

Following closely behind is the processing industry sector with a GRDP of Rp 17.9 trillion in 2023, and the mining sector with Rp 15.7 trillion. While the processing industry sector experienced a growth in its GRDP from Rp 16.9 trillion in 2022, the mining sector recorded a higher GRDP in 2022 with Rp 16.6 trillion.

Furthermore, recent investment trends in Central Kalimantan have shown positive growth, with investment realization in the province increasing by 32.44 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year. Initially, the Investment Ministry set a target of Rp 16.09 trillion for investments in the province, which was exceeded by Rp 19.10 trillion (118.74 percent) by the year’s end.

Foreign investment dominated the investment landscape in Central Kalimantan, amounting to Rp 10.32 trillion, while Rp 8.78 trillion originated from domestic investment sources. The agriculture and farming sector was recorded as the sector absorbing the highest investment, followed by the mining sector. Additionally, the growth in the food processing industry sector indicates that this sector could potentially become a leading sector for investment in the province.

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Latest News

April 25, 2025

Central Kalimantan Province held simultaneous rice harvests in the regencies of East Kotawaringin, North Barito, Seruyan, East Barito, and Pulang Pisau on Apr. 7, 2025. The harvest occasion was led directly by the Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran, with the center of the occasion in Pantik Village, Pandih Batu District, Pulang Pisau Regency.

The total harvest area in this province reached 6,634 hectares (ha) for the simultaneous harvest, and the potential harvest during April 2025 is targeted to encompass 11,341 ha across nine regencies and cities.

The harvest occasion was also attended by regents of said five regencies, seven deputy regents, Agriculture Ministry Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities (PSP) Director General Andi Nur Alamsyah, Central Kalimantan Regional Police Chief Ir. Gen. Pol. Iwan Kurniawan, Military Resort 102/Panju Panjung Commander (Danrem 102/PJG) Brig. Gen. Wimoko, and members of Regional Leadership Coordination Forums across Central Kalimantan.

During the occasion, Agustiar expressed his gratitude for President Prabowo's attention to Central Kalimantan.

"Thank you for your attention to Central Kalimantan, Mr. President. Subsidized fertilizers have been well-maintained [and] Central Kalimantan's agricultural productivity has reached 6.5 tons per ha, which is above the national average," said Agustiar during the harvest in Central Kalimantan

Central Kalimantan has recorded a significant increase in rice production in the last three years. In 2023, production reached 330,781 tons, and then increased to 366,147 tons in 2024. For 2025, the government is targeting production of 475,991 tons, up 30 percent from 2024, which indicated optimism and commitment to improving food security in the region.

Agriculture Ministry PSP Director General Andi Nur Alam Syah explained that the performance of farmers in Central Kalimantan has been supported by the allocation of pre-harvest agricultural machinery assistance such as two- and four-wheeled tractors, and 864 units of agricultural hand pump water sprayers in 2024.

"At the beginning of 2025, a total of 370 pre-harvest agricultural machinery units have been prepared to accelerate planting in the second planting season," explained Andi.

He added that the availability of fertilizer is also an important factor in agricultural production. Thus, the Central Kalimantan Province received an allocation of 33,257 tons of subsidized fertilizer, which Andi said has been utilized well by farmers.

"The [rate of] subsidized fertilizers that has been received [by farmers] was good until the end of March, reaching 20 percent, and farmers are now preparing to use the fertilizer for the second planting season," Andi elaborated.

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