Vanilla from Krayan: A Leading Agrotourism Destination in the Highlands of Borneo

Jen Alang, a vanilla farmer, pictured at his plantation in Long Bawan. Photo credit: Masri Sareb.

By Rangkaya Bada
Borneotravel.com | Tuesday, June 17, 2025

If you ever happen to travel to North Kalimantan, whether for work or leisure, be sure to visit Long Bawan. Just a stone’s throw from Yuvai Semaring Airport, nestled in the cool highlands of Borneo, you’ll find more than sweeping vistas and crisp mountain air. You’ll discover vanilla farms; lush, green rows of one of the world’s most precious crops.

Vanilla, a high-value agricultural commodity, is increasingly attracting farmers across Indonesia’s remote regions. Among the many crops cultivated in the archipelago, vanilla stands out for its promising return and relatively low-maintenance care. It’s a crop that doesn’t exhaust its grower, yet it holds the potential for substantial financial gain; making it a strategic choice for uplifting rural livelihoods.

Vanilla Prices Soar

Currently, the market price for dried vanilla pods ranges from Rp2 million to Rp2.5 million (roughly $125–$160) per kilogram. This puts vanilla among the most lucrative crops for both domestic and export markets. Demand for high-quality vanilla continues to grow, driven by the food, beverage, and cosmetics industries worldwide.

In the Krayan Highlands of Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan, vanilla cultivation is beginning to take root; bringing with it the promise of a better future. Less than half a kilometer from downtown Long Bawan, you’ll find a flourishing vanilla farm owned and managed by Jen Alang, a dedicated civil servant turned farmer.

“It’s only been three years, and the farm is already producing,” Jen says with quiet pride. The vanilla farm has become a vital source of income for his family.

He explains that while vanilla requires careful attention, especially during hand-pollination, which must be done manually, overall, it’s not a difficult crop to maintain. The key is to keep the environment humid and provide ample shade so the plants can thrive.

A Model of Success

Jen’s success story has begun to inspire others in the region. More and more Krayan residents are looking to vanilla as a viable alternative to traditional livelihoods, especially in this remote, landlocked part of Indonesia where economic opportunities are limited. The cool climate and fertile soil of the highlands provide ideal growing conditions for premium vanilla.

Vanilla pods at Jen Alang’s farm.Photo credit: Masri Sareb.

Vanilla in Krayan is more than just a crop; it’s a new source of hope, a symbol of self-reliance, and a pathway to prosperity in one of the country’s most isolated frontiers. *)