| Journal Article |
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| Article Title | Market chain improvement: Linking farmers to markets in Nanggung, West Java, Indonesia | | Author | Joel Tukan, James M Roshetko, Suseno Budidarsono and Gerhard Manurung | | Year | 2005 | | Journal Title | ISHS Acta Horticulturae 699: I International Symposium on Improving the Performance of Supply Chains in the Transitional Economies | | Institution | World Agroforestry Centre - ICRAF, SEA Regional Office | | Volume | 699 | | Call Number | JA0234-06 | | Keywords | agroforestry, tree gardens, deliberate management, market channel, banana, farmer income, poverty reduction |
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| Abstract: |
| Farmers in Nanggung subdistrict live on or below the poverty line with access to less than 1 hectare of land, consisting of irrigated rice fields (0.3 ha) and upland tree gardens (0.5 ha). Gardens are found on steep slopes and include a large number of horticultural fruit/vegetable species, as well as timber and commodity species (coffee, rubber and cloves). Traditionally, production from tree gardens is intended primarily for household consumption with some sales to local markets. Management is not intensive, the use agricultural inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, quality germplasm) is infrequent, and labor is mainly focused on harvesting. Smallholders and agricultural/forestry professionals agree that tree gardens in Nanggung hold great market potential. Proximity to Jakarta and its infrastructure offer Nanggung farmers an opportunity to produce fresh fruit and vegetables for lucrative urban and international markets. Fruit and vegetables with a high demand include banana, durian, mangosteen, rambutan, petai, jackfruit, chili peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, peanuts, green beans and chickpeas. Banana particularly has much potential for it is the most common and profitable tree garden crop in Nanggung. Market demand far exceeds supply. No significant banana diseases are present in Nanggung and production has not yet been intensified. In Nanggung, bananas produce fruit 12 months after planting and then every 4-6 months thereafter. Farmers are interested in intensifying their tree farming activities, but hesitate because they are not sure where to focus their efforts. We report here on our work to assist Nanggung farmers improve their management skills to enhance both the quantity and quality of the products and strengthen their ability to respond to market opportunities |
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