Smallholder Nursery Practices in Southeast Sulawesi: Seedling for Planting and Business

Abstract

Three types of agroforestry land-use systems have been identified in Southeast Sulawesi, these being monoculture systems (cacao, patchouli, sago and pepper); mixed-garden systems (cacao-patchouli and cacao-coconut, etc.), and timber-garden systems. High quality seedlings are a vital input for the establishment of an agroforestry system. The establishment of smallholder tree nurseries can help to meet the demand for seedlings and provide farmers with additional income. This survey was conducted to identify farmers’ nursery practices, with specific reference to: (i) identifying the characteristics of community tree nurseries in the survey areas; (ii) identifying indicators of successful tree nurseries; (iii) determining the quality of germplasm; and (iv) determining the status of nursery managers’ technical and businees capacities. The survey was conducted in 29 villages located in 14 sub-districts in two districts (East Kolaka and Konawe District, Indonesia) on June 2014. Thirty-nine respondents were interviewed. All data were analysed using the statistical program SPSS release 14.0.1. An analysis of the survey found that 80% of nurseries were established on the nursery owners’ own land. The nurseries were mostly established on the owner’s own initiative (69%), with most respondents stating that they used their own funds to establish the nursery(51%). In addition, 80% of the respondents stated that they operated the nurseries primarily to meet their own needs for seedlings, with 46% stating that they also sold seedlings. In terms of the labor force on these nurseries, 40% are paid part-time employees working less than 20 hrs/week. The most common species produced is Gmelina arborea. The most commonly sold species in East Kolaka is Anthocephalus cadamba, while in Konawe, the most commonly sold species is Tectona grandis. The form of germplasm used for the production of seedlings in both East Kolaka and Konawe are seeds (98%). In East Kolaka, 72% of the seed used in nurseries is collected by respondents from locations around their community. In general, the respondents give little consideration to the quality of the seed when selecting seed sources or producing seedlings. Mostrespondents (85%) stated that they do not produced as many seedlings as they would like. The main constraint to the production of seedlings is the shortage of germplasm. Most respondents (64%) stated that they had not received formal training and did not have access to technical support. The most common means by which owners accessed technical knowledge were self learning (44%) and reading (36%). Almost all respondents (95%) stated that they had formulated a business plan, but only 41% of respondents had received training in business management, marketing or related topics. The purchasers of seedlings from the nurseries were mostly private individuals. Most respondents(64%) did not have a clear idea of how to expand their business and reach more customers.