This paper provides a useful overview of government policies and regulations relating to the seed industry covering the early stage of the formal seed industry, seed trade, seed certification, crop varieties protection and seed producer's registration. Seed policies are generally renewed by the government along with progress in the seed industry. The paper also assesses the conduct of the National Seed Agency and its related institutions in controlling production and marketing of corn seed in East Java.

This study uses maize to examine the potential for increasing the income of coarse grain, pulse, root and tuber farmers and employment in East Java. The study focuses on the development of industrial linkages and market opportunities (feed, alcohol, starch and corn oil). Four surveys were conducted: a survey of village officials to identify a case study village; a household survey (n= 81) for socio economics; a household income survey (n=34) and a market survey (n=102).

This paper presents the findings of a study on two quality protein maize (QPM) varieties— Srikandi putih-1 (white kernels - for food) and Srikandi kuning-1 (yellow kernels - for animal feed). The research was based on two sets of experiments that were compared with the normal check varieties—22 populations of yellow QPM and 10 populations of white QPM. Each set used a randomized complete block design with three replications in 11 locations of central maize areas in Indonesia during 2002 and 2003.

In recent years, maize cropping in Indonesia has been increasing rapidly at 20-30 per cent per annum, particularly in the lowlands. Yet more areas have the potential for development of maize farming. This paper presents the results of integrated maize management trials conducted in lowland areas of Sidrap regency in South Sulawesi during the dry seasons of 2006 and 2007. Data was gathered through Rural Participatory Appraisals, respondent interviews and secondary data collection.

The demand for maize as food and feed in Indonesia has been steadily increasing. Total national maize production has grown at 4.07 per cent per annum in the last three decades, thanks mainly to the adoption of improved production technologies, particularly hybrid seed. This high production, however, still fails to meet domestic demand and has caused a rapid increase in the net import of maize. This study presents the maize production systems in four major maize-producing provinces in Indonesia: Lampung, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi.

In recent years, domestic maize demand for food and feed industries in Indonesia has grown faster than production. This paper reviews the past and current status and the future prospect of maize in Indonesia based on time series data from the last 41 years. The research shows that over the last four decades, consumption of maize has changed structurally from direct food to feed and food industries. Demand from both industries began to increase, and after 1975, maize production could not meet the growing demand for maize, which led Indonesia to import maize from other countries.

The high prices of new maize seed varieties in Indonesia has prevented some farmers, especially those in remote areas, from accessing high quality seed to increase their yields. This study aimed to accelerate the distribution of new high yield varieties by establishing community-based seed production systems at the village level to produce and provide high quality seed at an affordable price for farmers. Research was carried out in South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara provinces between 2002 and 2004.

This article presents the findings of a study that introduces community-based seed production of new open-pollenated maize varieties that are suited to the local environment, as well as the sociological conditions and farmer's preferences, in East Nusa Tenggara. It aims to accelerate distribution of these high quality seeds in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices in order to increase maize productivity for farmers.

Maize farmers in East Nusa Tenggara have been slow to adopt new cultivation technologies despite several initiatives by the Indonesian government. A key challenge for farmers is access to the required inputs—improved varieties, fertilizer and pesticides. This research aimed to identify a suitable agribusiness model for subsistence/semi-commercial maize farmers to help address their challenges in using new technologies. Research was conducted with three farmer groups in South Timor Tengah district in 2007-2008.

Maize productivity in Indonesia is relatively low (3.66 t/ha), yet in some provinces it rises above 4.0 t/ha. This higher productivity is due to farmers' adoption of production technology, including the use of improved maize varieties. This paper describes the progress of the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development's breeding program to develop several improved maize varieties in Indonesia.