Many subsistence households in Indonesia's poorest province, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) rely on the availability of two categories of natural resources: near-shore marine resources and products from forests, woodlands and agroforestry systems. The resources derived from the latter (many of which are harvested for daily subsistence needs of shelter, fuelwood for the household, and traditional medicine for health care) are often referred to as non-timber forest products (NTFPs). The aim of this project is to identify and evaluate any NTFPs that may have potential for incorporation into agroforestry systems and thus enhance the incomes of farming communities in pilot-study sites of West Timor, Flores, Sumba and Savu in NTT.
Although this project had a delayed start due to a delayed sign-off on the project by one partner orgnaization and consequent delays with dissemination of funds, significant impacts have now been achieved. Prior to this project, the only systematic survey of forest and agroforestry products sold in local marketplaces that we are aware of was done in Kalimantan in 1996 Arman, S. 1996. Diversity and trade of market fruits in West Kalimantan. Pp. 308-317 in: Padoch, C and N Peluso. Eds. Borneo in transition: people, forests, conservation, and development. Oxford University Press, Kuala Lumpur.. This study, aimed at identifying NTFP species whose economic and production (growth, silvicultural) characteristics make them suitable for incorporation into agroforestry systems, is the most detailed ethnobotanical survey of local marketplaces and trade. It has generated a huge data set based on surveys in West Timor (Kupang, Soe, Kefamenanu, Atambua, Camplong, Kapan), Flores (Maumere, Ende, Bajawa and small weekly markets located near Maumere), Sumba (Waingapu, Waikabubak, Kabunduk and Melolo) and on Savu.
Training and capacity building have been essential to success for without the support of Indonesian partners familiar with ethnobotanical survey methods, this phase of the project would not have been possible. Literature reviews have been completed and peer reviewed research papers and resource manuals shared with Indonesian partners. The quantitative surveys of local marketplaces will enables market characterisation (from an economic geography perspective) into four main categories:
1. Local marketplaces and markets (comprising permanent and periodic marketplaces and decentralized marketing (specialist products (honey, textiles, seasonal higher value fruits)) and low value products (fuelwood);
2. Inter-island regional trade: Complex inter-island supply chains are identifiable from marketplace surveys (eg: Areca catechu and Canarium seed trade from Flores to markets in West Timor, Arenga pinnata stem fibre trade for ritually important thatch, with Bali as the major market in eastern Indonesia and even sago palm starch from Ambon to West Timor. Seasonal trade in ritually important products is a notable part of this trade. There also is potential for FairTrade marketing to "high-end" tourist hotels and lodges in Bali, as a market for plant products that give a "sense of place" (cosmetic oils, soaps;
3. Exports from NTT for national markets (comprising visible" market chains (Aleurites (kemiri), Canarium) and "hidden" market chains for high value products (Aquilaria (gaharu), sandalwood, bird's nests);
4. Exports for international markets: The most promising export products, currently sold at low value in NTT as food supplements, are (i) cosmetic oils; (ii) flavours and fragrances; (iii) functional foods and (iv) culturally-valued products in the art and hand-woven textile sector. The size of these market sectors and likely species through which project impacts are likely to be reached is discussed in Section 3.3.1 below (Economic impacts).
Links:
[1] http://www.aciar.gov.au/country/Indonesia