Abstract
Three types of agroforestry land use systems have been identified in Southeast Sulawesi, these being monoculture systems (cacao, patchouli, sago and mi xed 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 f or seedlings and provide farmers with additional income. This survey was conducted to identify farmers’ nursery practices, with specific reference to: (i) identifying the characteristic s of community tree nurseries in the survey areas; (ii) identifying ind icator s 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 Dist r ict, 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 nurs ery 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 G melina 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 use d for the production of seedlings in both East Kolaka and Konawe are seeds (98%). In East Kolaka, 7 2 % 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. Most respondents 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 t echnical knowledge were s elf learning (44%) and reading (36% 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 topic s . 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 custo mer s.
Key
words: livelihood, nursery, germplasm, seed quality, business plan
(Journal) Smallholder Nursery Practices in Southeast Sulawesi: Seedling for Planting and Business
