This paper presents the experiences of using farmer participatory research to develop and transfer cassava production technologies to maintain soil productivity, reduce erosion and increase farmers' incomes. The research was conducted over a five year period in two districts of East Java: Blitar and Malang. A Rapid Rural Appraisal was initially used, in which farmers identified problems and proposed potential solutions.

This study explores the impact of new cassava processors in Sukadana, East Lampung district in Lampung province on the production and prices of cassava in the area. A survey of eighty cassava farmers was carried out to explore their relationships with processors, their production cost structures and their cultivation practices. The study found that harvesting age was a critical factor to determine the cassava yield and price in the study area.

This report explores the potential for cassava production in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province in response to a proposed project to grow and export cassava chip for further processing into bio-ethanol in China. Initial field research found the region to be well suited to growing cassava with large areas of arable land and cassava yields comparable to other regions of Indonesia.

Lampung is the primary cassava producing region in Indonesia, yet the province regularly experiences prolonged dry periods. This study examines drought tolerance for varietal selection prior to distribution, assessing the potential impact of drought (two or more months of <100mm rainfall) on root yield, starch yield and content in five selected varieties. Trial design comprised a 0.1ha plot of each variety (no replication) with sub-plots of staggered planting dates to impose dry periods at different growth stages.

This case study details a range of interventions implemented to improve cashew nut production in Flores and contribute to the enhancing the overall cashew nut value chain. The report summarises the key constraints to the value chain, such as no direct linkages and international value adding, poor productivity due to traditional farming methods, and lack of inputs and technology. It then outlines a number of considerations and processes in implementing four interventions to address these constraints.

Cashew is a major source of income for most farmers on the island of Flores. This article details the experience of developing organic cashew nut production in four villages in Flores based on a joint project between VECO Indonesia and Swisscontact. The project aimed to help farmers optimize the potential for cashew nuts through organic certification while maintaining a low input system of production.

This report presents the details of a case study exploring livelihood patterns of farmer households and linkages with the production and marketing of cashew nuts on the island of Flores. It aimed to understand and identify livelihood constraints in order to fully understand and monitor the impact of a Swisscontact/VECO-Indonesia pilot project on certification and processing of organic cashew nuts in Flores. The study used the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (developed by DFID) to analyse complex livelihood patterns in four villages in Central and Eastern Flores.

Cashews are a major crop throughout eastern Indonesia, with an estimated 300,000 smallholders involved in the production. However, a significant proportion of these smallholders are at or below the poverty line. This report outlines—from a supply chain approach—potential strategies to improve the incomes of smallholder cashew farmers in eastern Indonesia as part of a supply chain. The proposed strategies cover the areas of processing, agronomy, variety research, pests and disease, nutrition and soil management, and intercropping.