Invisible Treasures: Assessing Indonesia’s Unique Agrobiodiversity for Food and Nutrition Security

Teresa Borelli (), Ary Keim, Wawan Sujarwo, Haryanti Koostanto, Lukas Pawera, Gaia Gullotta, Riina Jalonen, Amea Lombardo and Danny Hunter
Additional contact information
Teresa Borelli: Bioversity International, 00153 Rome, Italy
Ary Keim: National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Bogor 16915, Indonesia
Wawan Sujarwo: National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Bogor 16915, Indonesia
Haryanti Koostanto: Independent Researcher, Bogor 16168, Indonesia
Lukas Pawera: World Vegetable Centre, Tainan 74151, Taiwan
Gaia Gullotta: Bioversity International, 00153 Rome, Italy
Riina Jalonen: Bioversity International, 00153 Rome, Italy
Amea Lombardo: Environmental Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
Danny Hunter: Bioversity International, 00153 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-26

Abstract: Indonesia is a biodiversity hotspot with high levels of endemism of globally important food crops and their crop wild relatives, as well as locally adapted cultivars. This rich diversity is essential to Indonesia’s food and nutrition security, while underpinning the livelihood strategies of small-scale farmers (both men and women) and traditional communities, who act as guardians of this genetic heritage. However, many of Indonesia’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are experiencing genetic erosion due to increased crop uniformity and the reduced use and demand for local varieties. Changes in food preferences and consumption patterns have driven the species into agricultural neglect with only some smallholder farmers cultivating the species for cultural reasons. These problems are exacerbated by land-use changes and climate variability. Recognizing the imperative to conserve agrobiodiversity in the region to ensure future food security and sustain livelihoods, the status of conservation and sustainable use of taro, yams, cloves and nutmeg in three target provinces in Indonesia was assessed. Mixed-method analyses were used to document existing conservation efforts and what is currently known of these target crops’ conservation status, both in ex situ collections and in the field, to identify unique biodiversity, as well as the barriers and knowledge gaps on how to better conserve and use this unique genetic diversity for future generations.

Keywords: agrobiodiversity conservation and use; agrobiodiversity mainstreaming; food crops; food security; Indonesia; plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFAs); nutrition security; sustainable livelihoods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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