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南太平洋海域調査研究報告
OCCASIONAL PAPERS

No.58（2017 年 3 月）
No.58（March 2017）

Cassava and Sweet Potato in Western Seram,
Maluku Province: Diversity, Cultivation and Utilization
RAHARJO Simon H. T.1, HETHARIE Helen1, AUGUSTYN Gelora H.1 and PESIRERON Maritje2
1: Faculty of Agriculture, Pattimura University
2: Maluku Agricultural Technology Assessment Board

Abstract
Small islands in Maluku have a high diversity of root crops, with cassava and sweet potato being
among the most common. The objectives of this research were to study the diversity of cassava and sweet
potato in Western Seram, their cultivation systems, their role as staple food crops and to collect theaccessions ex situ. This study used a survey method in 15 sample villages/negri scattered throughout
Western Seram. Morphological characterizations used cassava and sweet potato descriptors (adapted fromHUAMÁN [1991] and Fukuda et al. [2010]). Information on the local varieties, their cultivation andutilization was obtained by Focus Group Discussion (FGD) plus interviews with farmer respondents fromthe sample village/negri. Secondary data were gathered from a desk study. From the surveys, 105 cassava
accessions and 71 sweet potato accessions were found and collected. They were grown under mixed
culture/agroforestry system called kabong or dusun, consisting of forestry plants, spices, perennial andannual crops. Inamosol Subdistrict which is in an inland (non-coastal) region has the greatest diversities ofboth crops. Both crops were found to be among the most important staple food sources, in addition to sagoand cereals. Their ease of cultivation and adaptation to a wide range of geographic conditions made them
have an important role as security food crops in Western Seram.
Keywords: agroforestry, food security, genetic diversity, germplasm, staple food

Introduction
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz, Euphorbiaceae) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam., Convolvulaceae) are annual root crops which are classified as palawija (non-riceannual food crops) in Indonesian agriculture. They are important food crops in eastern
Indonesia. In the archipelagic Maluku Province (the southern half of the Moluccas),cultivation of these crops is spread widely in medium and small islands, primarily as
subsistence crops and food reserves. Thus, these root crops also have an important role infood security and resilience. Both of these root crops are grown in most of the islands ofMaluku as a component of plant cultivation systems of kabong or dusun (polyculture,

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RAHARJO Simon H. T., HETHARIE Helen, AUGUSTYN Gelora H. and PESIRERON Maritje

agroforestry), and especially has a role as a source of staple food for the families. They are an
important source of carbohydrate, besides rice and sago. Rice has increasingly displaced theposition of sago and root/tuber crops as the major staple food sources. However, there is adetermination of the local government and the community recently to revive the role of root
crops and sago, which will strengthen food security in the region.
Traditional farmers in Maluku who grow cassava and sweet potato usually use several
cultivars or landraces on their lands. Tens or even hundreds of landraces can be found in aregion. For example, studies conducted previously showed that in one village in Maluku morethan 10 different sweet potato accessions were found (HUKUNALA 2010, MAITIMU 2008).
Studies in the field have also shown that the same is true of cassava.
Scientific studies which include germplasm characterization, genetic and agronomic
evaluation and estimation of crop potentials of both root crops have been conducted inWestern Seram District in order to strengthen its role in supporting food security and enhancetheir economic value. So far the two root crops still have limited roles as subsistence crops.
Currently there is 13,000 ha of potential land for food crops in Western Seram District, which
can be planted with cassava and sweet potato. Thus, space for development of both crops isstill wide open toward their utilization for home industries and for supply of raw materials forthe food and beverage industry, animal feed, chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the
future.
As subsistence crops, cassava and sweet potato are considered to have low economic andsocial values. Their roots are generally consumed immediately after being boiled or fried.
Processed products from these crops are still very limited in Maluku, for example in the formof enbal dry bread (in Southeast Maluku), suami and keripik cracker from cassava, whereas
sweet potato is only prepared by boiling/steaming and frying. Thus, possibility for theirprocessing development is still very widely open, to improve the roles of both crops inaddition to that of subsistence one.
To strengthen the role of cassava and sweet potato, both as a subsistence or food security
and as cash crops in Western Seram District, various information need to be collected about
the genetic resource potentials of both crops in Western Seram, cultivation land sizes at thefarmer level, farming technology level applied by farmers and utilization of the crops.

Objectives
The objectives of the research described in this paper are to: 1) explore, collect anddescribe the genetic diversity of cassava and sweet potato in Western Seram, 2) study
cultivation and utilization of cassava and sweet potato by farmers in Western Seram and 3)
study the role of both crops in the supply and diversification of staple food.

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Cassava and Sweet Potato in Western Seram, Maluku Province: Diversity, Cultivation and Utilization

Methodology
This research was conducted with an exploratory survey, involving exploration,
morphological characterization of cassava and sweet potato germplasms, as well as collectionof data about their cultivation and utilization at farmers’ level. In this research, a desk study
was also undertaken, which began with collection of secondary data and literatures relevant tothe achievement of the research objectives, information about geographical conditions of the
fields.
The location of the exploratory survey that was conducted from July to October 2012
was Western Seram District, with 15 village samples within 8 subdistricts that were
geographically spread throughout the district, on north, west and south coastal areas andinland areas. It covered the subdistricts: Inamosol, Kairatu, Kairatu Barat, Seram Barat,
Hunamual Muka, Waesala, Taniwel and Taniwel Timur.
Assignment of the sample villages and farmers were conducted with purposive sampling.
One to two sample villages were taken from each of the 8 subdistricts. The number of
respondent farmers was 4–8 per village. Information from the farmers was gathered throughguided interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD), which were guided by questionnaires.
Heads of villages (raja) and Agricultural Extension Workers (Petugas Pertanian Lapangan,
PPL) were also included as key informants in separate interviews. Observations of crops wereconducted directly in the sample farmers’ fields, to collect data on the cultivars/landraces of
cassava and sweet potato that were grown and their cultivation techniques. Observations to
obtain description and characterization data were performed with morphological description
forms which were previously prepared based on descriptors of cassava and sweet potato(FUKUDA et al. 2010, HUAMÁN 1991).

Results and Discussion
Cultivation of cassava and sweet potatoes in Western Seram
The climate in Western Seram District belongs to a tropical marine climate. It is strongly
influenced by the surrounding wide seas and by the monsoon climate, i.e., the North West or
East or Southeast seasons. A change of seasons is always punctuated by a transitional season(pancaroba). Based on the records of rainfall and number of rainy days for the 2011 (Kairatu
Climatology Station), the peak of rainy season occurs between June and August.
Cropping patterns of cassava and sweet potato by farmers are based less on considerationof season. They are based more on the habits of the local farmers. After land clearing or
previous harvest they immediately plant the crops. Replanting was done immediately after
harvesting previous crops with no or minimal land preparation. Cassava with different
harvesting ages is harvested as needed for daily family consumption. Sweet potato is usuallyplanted at the end of the rainy season, and its harvest time is more based on the harvest ages.

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RAHARJO Simon H. T., HETHARIE Helen, AUGUSTYN Gelora H. and PESIRERON Maritje

Western Seram District is a second-largest cassava producer district in Maluku afterCentral Maluku District. Harvested areas of cassava and sweet potato in Western Seram in2013 were 9,810,000 ha and 458 ha, with a production of 176,900,000 t and 5,137 t freshroots, respectively. This means that the productivity of both commodities was relatively low,amounting to about 18.0 t/ha for cassava and 11.2 t/ha for sweet potato (BPS 2014).
To support the economy and food security of Western Seram District, the expansion ofplanting area of cassava and sweet potato are still very possible, considering the district still
has a large enough suitable potential land for food crops, amounting to 13,000 ha (BPS 2012).
For Maluku Province, development of the root crop cultivation can be directed to dry land
suitable for food crops, namely IV and IV ay ax zones, amounting to 718,000 ha in Maluku(SUSANTO and BUSTAMAN 2006).
In Western Seram, cassava and sweet potato are generally grown in mixed cultivation
systems called kabong or dusun. These systems are practised by indigenous inhabitants ofWestern Seram, i.e., the Alune and Wemale ethnics, from the coast up to the upland. In such acultivation system, both crops have an important role as a source of subsistent staple food
which also means to contribute to food security of the people. Therefore, efforts to increase
their production will strengthen their food security.
Although in the urban areas the position of root crops has been increasingly displaced by
rice, in the rural areas traditional communities still maintain a diet with mixed staple foodsources, consisting of tubers (especially cassava, sweet potato, yams/Dioscorea spp., taro andcocoyam), sago, plantain, corn and some legumes. Cassava and sweet potato are the staple
food sources that are very important for and generally prefered by Western Seram people.
They also ‘must be present’ in the foods provided in traditional events.
Many subsistent, traditional and relatively underdeveloped farmers can still be found inWestern Seram District, whereas more advanced farmers are concentrated in transmigration
areas, such as in Kairatu and Kairatu Barat, which were not included as sample areas. In
general, ownership of cultivated lands ranged between 0.25 and 2 ha per farmer family. The
practised agriculture systems are mixture of annual crops (maize, beans, root crops andvegetables) and the more dominant perennial plants (bananas, clove, nutmeg, coconut, cacao
and others).
Cassava and sweet potato are grown as subsistence crops and as sources ofcarbohydrates, generally with small acreages ranging from 100 m2 to 0.5 ha of the total
farmers’ cultivated lands (0.25 to 2 ha). They are among the dominant food crops;
nevertheless, their cultivation areas are small. Most of the farmers’ lands are planted withperennial crops cash crops. This pattern of cultivation is actually the result of cultivation
system that is directed towards the establishing perennial crop plantation, which is practiced
by most farmers in Western Seram. The system starts from forest clearance by slashing(pameri) and burning (pembakaran), minimal land preparation/tilage and planting of initialannual crops. In the first year, the land was planted with cereals, legumes and vegetables,
which will gradually be shifted to root crops, including cassava and sweet potato, as well as

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Cassava and Sweet Potato in Western Seram, Maluku Province: Diversity, Cultivation and Utilization

bananas. At the same time in the early years of the land opening, the newly cleared land isplanted with seedlings of or young perennial crops. Establishing a perennial cash crop
plantation generally becomes the main long-term goals. The main perennial crops include
coconut, cloves, cacao, nutmeg, varieties of fruit, multipurpose and timber trees. Sago trees
are rarely planted intentionally. During the time that the perennial plants is growing into
production ages, subsistence food crops are grown in the spaces between the growing
perennials. In such a system, cassava, sweet potato and other root crops are the dominantcrops grown, when the soil fertility has begun to decline and less suitable for cerreals,
legumes and vegetables, and when the annual cash crops are growing into production ages.
All respondent farmers grew cassava and sweet potato among various crops and plants ina mixed cropping system, either with or without regular arrangements. In Seram, this type of
mixed cropping system is called kabong. Other root crops that are grown in the such a land
include cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), yam (Dioscorea alata) and gembili (D.
esculenta), in addition to other important sources of carbohydrates, namely banana, sago,
upland rice and corn. In agriculture system adopted by farmers in Western Seram, land
preparation techniques is done by slashing bushes and felling some trees (pameri), followedby burning them when dry. For cultivation of food crops, including cassava and sweet potato,
most farmers apply no- or minimal tillage. A simple soil preparation is done to form kuming(mounds to plant cassava or sweet potato cuttings) using tools that include hoes, wooden
drills and other tools with a low efficiency. The cost for production facilities is usually low
because it is only needed to buy hoes, machete or other simple tools that can be used for many
years. Sometime manure is used, but synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are rary applied.
Intensive crop maintenance are rarely practiced. Family labor is usually not considered as acomponent of cost. Thus, in the kabong cropping system, input cost for the root crop
production is low. This farming system is basically a traditional agricultural system that has
been employed for generation by the various communities living in the villages and near theforests. The low input system is initially applied in cassava and sweet potato cultivation
because of a lack of capital other than the land, as well as a lack of education and training on
agriculture technology.
The respondent farmers rarely grew cassava and sweet potato with orderly plant spacing.
During field observations, irregular plant spacing ranging from 0.6 m x 0.6 m to 1 m x 1 m forcassava and 0.25 m x 0.5 m to 0.5 m x 0.5 m with 1–3 cuttings per mound for sweet potato
were found. Some farmers take into account planting season for cassava and sweet potato, i.e.,
the end or after the rainy season (August to December). Nevertheless, most farmers do nottake into account certain months as cassava planting season. Cassava are planted throughout
the year, that is right after harvesting the previous crop. On the other hand, farmers tend toplant sweet potato at the end of the rainy season.
Because cassava is generally harvested in accordance to the need for family consumption,
there is practically no harvest season for cassava. Either cassava or sweet potato is notharvested at once, but as needed for family consumption or for sale at a small scale. Root

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RAHARJO Simon H. T., HETHARIE Helen, AUGUSTYN Gelora H. and PESIRERON Maritje

sales are usually done locally and in a small scale (Fig. 1). Transporting further to otherregions is rare. This is related to the fact that farmers in Western Seram seldom store cassava
and sweet potato storage roots for more than several days, except “storing” with the plants
alive or by delaying harvesting. Live storing is seldom practised for sweet potato roots,
because farmers know if they are harvested late (after the harvesting age) then a highpercentage of the storage roots will get damaged. Farmers generally do not dry the roots,
make gaplek or cassava flour, as practiced in Java. They harvest the roots as needed, so that
excess of production is not common. Sweet potato roots are also utilized only in fresh
condition. According to the farmers, harvesting age for cassava ranges from 3 to 12 months(mostly harvested at 6 months of age), and for sweet potato 3 to 4 months.
As a result that the farmers do not harvest cassava and sweet potato simultaneously in
one cropping season, it is difficult to predict their yields per unit area. It is also complicatedby the fact that farmers do not weigh the harvested storage roots. However, a raw estimate ofyield for cassava is between 2–5 kg per plant (≈20–50 t/ha). This is higher than that stated by
ALFONS and WAMAER (2015) on the estimated productivity of cassava in Maluku of 12 t/ha or
the Maluku statistical data (BPS 2012) of 17.87 t/ha. Estimated productivity of sweet potato is
1–1.5 kg per plant, or approximately 20–30 t/ha.

Fig. 1. Marketing and processing of cassava and sweet potato in Western Seram; (a) and (b) small-scale
sale of fresh roots in a local market in Piru, (c) and (d) processed cassava in the forms of dry
products, such as crackers and embal (a dry poisonous cassava bread).

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Cassava and Sweet Potato in Western Seram, Maluku Province: Diversity, Cultivation and Utilization

Cuttings as planting materials used by farmers are generally obtained from the plants
grown previously and only rarely do farmers obtain them from other farmers or fromneighboring villages. From the observations in the respondent farmers’ fields it was found thatthe farmers grew in average one to three varieties of cassava or sweet potato on their field.
However, it was also found that some farmers grew more than five varieties of cassava on
their field, such as those found in Morekao (West Seram Subdistrict), Seaputih (Hunamual
Muka Subdistrict) and Musihuwey (Taniwel Timur Subdistrict). In Ursana (Inamosol
Subdistrict), in a field of a farmer group 6 sweet potato varieties were found. Such farmers
can be seen to become “collectors” of local varieties (landraces) and may play a role in the insitu conservation of the genetic diversity of cassava and sweet potato.
The main reasons that respondent farmers grew a particular variety of cassava or sweet
potato were the good taste (taste preference) and the earliness of harvesting age. But there
were also an indication that farmers grew a particular variety because it was common (known
for generations), the planting materials were available or because the farmers did not see otheroptions. This was supported by the fact that the farmers did not grow new high yielding
varieties because they were never available or accessible. Thus, the establishment of planting
material supply system for cassava and sweet potato, which are reproduced vegetatively, isneeded in Western Seram District. The farmers need to be assisted to grow cassava and sweet
potato varietes that are productive and with clear identities, in order to guarantee a highproductivity and in turn a better income.
Most farmers grew cassava and sweet potato just for their own consumption and only asmall portion was for sale. In spite of such farming conditions, according PESIRERON et al.
(2011) the average food crops in the Western Seram District were economically feasible
because they had Revenue/Cost (R/C) values > 1. Based on the results of the financial
analyses of R/C for cassava and sweet potato farming in the Western Seram District, thevalues of 1.93 and 1.30, were obtained respectively, which means they were feasible to be
cultivated by farmers in the region (PESIRERON et al. 2011).
Results of interviews with the farmers indicated that there were still many obstacles in
the cultivation of cassava and sweet potato, including the climatic factors, pests, especiallywild pigs (Sus scrofa), labor and marketing. The application of technological innovation on
the traditional farmers has been generally hindered by biophysical, sociological, technologicaland economic factors. The application of technology for cassava and sweet potato production
was still very limited in the study area. Therefore, it is very possible that increased
productivity can still be achieved through an effort of providing planting materials of superiorvarieties and various other agricultural inputs.
Diversity of cassava and sweet potato in the Western SeramIn situ characterization of cassava and sweet potato accessions in the farmers’ fields havebeen conducted using descriptors adapted from those of HUAMÁN (1991) and FUKUDA et al.
(2010). In this research, 105 accessions of cassava were obtained and collected from 8

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RAHARJO Simon H. T., HETHARIE Helen, AUGUSTYN Gelora H. and PESIRERON Maritje

subdistricts, namely Inamosol, Kairatu, Kairatu Barat, West Seram, Hunamual Muka, Taniwel,
Taniwel Timur and Waesala. The highest cassava diversity in Western Seram District (in hilly
inland region) was found Inamosol subdistrict with 17 cassava accessions, followed by
Taniwel Timur Subdistrict with 15 accessions. The number of accessions found per sample
varied from 2 accessions (Kamarian and Kamal) to 12 accessions (Morekao).
Most of cassava accessions obtained (98 accessions or 93%) belong to the type that canbe consumed directly (sweet cassava, with low hydrogen cyanide [HCN] content). Only sevenaccessions belong to the bitter type (with high HCN content) which can not be consumed
directly without special processing, and one of them is considered to be very toxic cassava(Kasbi Galela). Based on the HCN content, cassava is classified into either sweet cassava,with a HCN content < 40 mg/kg of fresh roots, or bitter cassava with a HCN content ≥ 50
mg/kg of fresh roots. High HCN content can cause poisoning to human and animals, so
cassava with a high HCN content is not recommended for fresh consumption (SUNDARI 2010).
Most of the accessions obtained have white root flesh. Seventeen accessions (16.2%) haveyellow root flesh and 3 accessions (2.85%) have cream root flesh.
From the exploratory survei, 71 sweet potato accessions have been obtained andcollected from the 8 subdistricts. The highest sweet potato diversity was found also in
Inamosol Subdistrict with 18 accessions, followed by West Seram and Taniwel subdistricts
with 9 and 7 accessions, respectively.
The data described previously indicate that Western Seram District has high genetic
diversities of cassava and sweet potato, which also means that the region is rich of genetic
resources of both crops. The root crops have long been spread in the region, so that in the longterm this has enabled formation of many new genotypes probable through natural crossbreeding. The habits of farmers that do not use new superior varieties but rather use several
local varieties (landraces) simultaneously has allowed the in situ conservation of the diversityof these two crops. The genetic diversity is a very valuable source of genes that are importantfor breeding programs of the crops in the future.
Processing, utilization and home industry of cassava and sweet potato in Western Seram
Each family of the respondent farmers had an area of land for subsistence annual crops
and perennial trees that ranges from 0.25 to 2 ha. Cassava and sweet potato fresh products
were generally consumed by the farmers’ family or sold in a small scale. However, theirprocessed products were found to be limited. Communities in the study area, especially those
who have the main livelihood as farmers, consume cassava and sweet potato that have beengrown by themselves as staple food sources. They do not buy them in the market. In addition
to cassava and sweet potato, people also consume rice as a staple food eventhough they do not
grow rice. They buy rice with the money they obtain from sales of other agricultural products
or from other revenue.
Cassava and sweet potato can be consumed as a staple food because their storage roots
contain a high carbohydrate, which is 34.7 and 25.6 g/100 g of material, respectively. Cooked

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Cassava and Sweet Potato in Western Seram, Maluku Province: Diversity, Cultivation and Utilizationroots of cassava and sweet potato are eaten with side dishes such as fish, meat and vegetables,
to improve nutritional values. In addition to the carbohydrate content, the storage roots also
contain protein, but not as much as rice. Their fat, vitamin A and vitamin C contents, however,are higher than those of rice. The calcium contents in cassava and sweet potato are evenhigher than rice, i.e., 33 and 27.7 mg/100 g, respectively, compared to 6 mg/100 g in rice.
The common daily meal composition of the community in Western Seram isroots/tubers/sago/rice-vegetables-fish/meats. The food composition consists of carbohydrates
as an energy source, proteins and fats from the fish/meats as well as vitamins and minerals
from the vegetables. In general, cassava and sweet potato, as well as vegetables, are obtained
from the farmers’ own gardens. Whereas fish or meat as a protein source are purchased or are
obtained from the sea or the forest. Cassava and sweet potato plays an important role as staple
food sources, especially in rural farming communities. In many other regions, cassava is an
important food for the farmers only in certain seasons when other foods are less available ormore expensive (FALCON et al. 1986). However, in most of Western Seram cassava along withthe other root and tuber crops are still the major and daily staple food sources, comparable tosago; and in some communities they are consumed greater and more often than rice. Thissuggests that in Western Seram, the community, especially the farmers, still maintain diverse
staple food sources other than rice. The consumption patterns in the study area thus provide asignificant contribution to better security of staple food supply and provision of balanced
nutrition for the community.
In addition to being consumed as a staple food, cassava and sweet potato are also cooked
into snack foods. A limited quantity of cassava is processed into processed products. Cassava
leaves are cooked as a vegetable. In all the study villages, the only common daily cooking
method of cassava and sweet potato for staple food is by boiling or steaming the fresh storage
roots. For production of snacks, cassava roots may be processed into fried snack, onde-ondeand lemet; whereas sweet potato roots are commonly prerpared by frying. Both may becooked into kolak, a sweet soup made from a mixture of tuber and plantain cubes with brownsugar and coconut milk.
In the food consumption system, diversification is an important aspect. The
diversification of processed cassava and sweet potato is one of the alternatives to support of
the food diversification program promoted by the government. Food diversification isintended to gain nutrient diversity as well as to free the community from dependency on one
particular type of staple food source, particularly rice. High dependency on a particular typeof food sources, such as rice, can lead to instability if the supply is interrupted. Based on thefindings, it can be stated that cassava and sweet potato play an important role for foodsecurity in Western Seram.
In Western Seram, cassava and sweet potato storage roots are generally consumed by thepeople as a staple food and only a small portion of them is processed into a variety of
traditionally processed products, either to meet their own need and for sale. Therefore, theutilization of cassava and sweet potato should be encouraged and developed further by

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RAHARJO Simon H. T., HETHARIE Helen, AUGUSTYN Gelora H. and PESIRERON Maritje

developing new and more modern products with a better nutritional value and with anapplication of food technology. Given the fact that cassava and sweet potato fresh storage
roots are perishable and their fresh conditions last only several days after harvesting, proper
handling and processing techniques should be applied to extend their shelf life. Cassava andsweet potato can also be upgraded into higher value food products. However, this study foundthat product processing of both comodities is rarely performed by Western Seram farmers,
because they lack capabiliy of agriculture product processing technology.
In the rural area, cassava and sweet potato can be processed directly into a variety of wet
and dry foods, and the resulting products can have a variety of flavors. One attempt topreserve the two commodities can be achieved by processing them into flour and the flour canbe processed further into a variety of interesting food products. Flour-making technology can
become a choice to be recommended to the farmers to produce a semi-finished product. The
flour is durable to store, easily blended, can be fortified, and can be cooked faster into various
foods, which is more suitable to the practical modern life (e.g., ANTARLINA 1998,
ONYENWOKE and SIMONYAN 2014).
Small business development goals in rural areas, among others, should be directed toincrease employment opportunities, especially to absorb labor in the agricultural sector, toincrease added values of agricultural products, and to increase incomes of the ruralcommunity. Therefore, agribusiness development program of production and utilization of
local crop resources, such as cassava and sweet potato, by developing food home industry
needs to be initiated by the government of Western Seram District.
Because cassava and sweet potato cultivation in Western Seram is generally a small-scale
activity, its upstream and downstream development efforts should be devoted to developing
small agribusinesses that is efficient and involves farmers’ family labors. To lift the economic
value of cassava and sweet potato, processing technology development as well as a goodmarketing strategy are needed, which in turn can improve the image of the root crops as
inferior food into widely accepted one. This will expectedly increase consumers’ acceptanceof cassava and sweet potato products. Efforts to increase the added value of cassava and sweet
potato through agro-industry can also play a role in supplying staple foods that are morediverse and with better qualities. Through the development of rural home agro-industry, thequantity of staple foods can be increased and the types of their products available in themarket will be more diverse.
Constrains faced by the farmers to develop downstream agribusiness include lack ofskills and mastery of post-harvest handling and product processing technology. Such
constrains affect farmers’ income which tends to be low. Another alternative to improve theincome of farmers is by developing product diversification. The cassava and sweet potato
fresh storage roots may be processed into refined products that can be stored longer, among
other into flour, starch, dried roots, chips and pellets. By this, the market of the commodities
is expected to be better guaranteed, their added values increased, and in turn well-being of the
farmers improved.

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Cassava and Sweet Potato in Western Seram, Maluku Province: Diversity, Cultivation and Utilization

Conclusion
Conclusions from this research are as follows: 1) cassava and sweet potato are rarely
grown in a monoculture system in Western Seram, however, they are important crops in amixed farming system called kabong and dusun, 2) both play an important role as subsistencecrops and major sources of staple food, 3) farmers’ planting areas of cassava and sweet potato
are generally small (patches less than 0.25 ha) and only small portions of the whole lands
owned by the farmers, 4) their cultivations are traditional, low-input and low-technology ones
and long fallow cultivation is commonly practiced by the farmers to recover soil fertility, 5)
the genetic diversity of cassava and sweet potato in Western Seram is large, however,conservation, assessment and utilization of their germplasms are still very limited and 6) only
limited post-harvest processing of cassava and sweet potato products are applied.
Therefore, possibilities are still open: 1) to increase production in order to strengthen
their position as staple and security food sources, 2) to diversify their intermediate processed
products, such as dried cassava, chips, pellets and flour, to ease storing, transporting andmarketing and 3) to diversify and improve quality of foods based on both crops.

Acknowledgment
Research grant from MP3I (2012–2014) to Simon Raharjo and coworkers has enabled
this research to be conducted.

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