This working paper uses a multi-market model to assess ex ante the impact of yield increases for maize, soybean and cassava on cropping patterns, producer and consumer prices, household income and other variables related to maize policy. The findings reveal that raising maize yields alone reduces imports and has generally small but positive effects on output, consumption, income and purchasing power. Raising the yields of all three commodities stimulates production of these crops and reduces imports in particular of maize and cassava but not of soybeans.

In this report, Dipokusumo et al. examine the impacts of government policy on the profitability of wetland and dryland soybean in West Nusa Tenggara and the extent to which the province has a comparative advantage in soybean production. The research uses data collected through interviews with 90 soybean farmers, as well as policymakers, end users, extension agents and traders, in the districts of Central Lombok, Sumbawa and Bima. It uses the Policy Analysis Matrix as a data analysis tool.

Reduced productivity and increased demand for soybean products has increased dependency on soybean imports and support for tariffs. This study involved a desk top analysis and interviews with key stakeholders (soybean farmers, traders, and government officials) in Blitar, East Java, to develop farm level production budgets based on traditional and improved production technology (improved seed and water control, monoculture and multi-cropping).

This report presents a value chain analysis of the peanut industry in West Nusa Tenggara. It shows that peanuts have a ready market in Indonesia but seasonal peaks in supply and lack of local ability to adequately dry, process and store peanuts limits smallholder earning potential. Research is required on improved seed varieties and best operational practices including cultivation versus direct planting, irrigation, fertiliser, weed and pest control. Cash flow problems with inputs (after the rice harvest) could be reduced or eliminated with farmer business management training.

This paper examines the problem of aflatoxin in Indonesian peanuts and discusses potential initiatives to minimize contamination at pre and postharvest stages. The research uses data from 62 farmers, penebas, collectors, processors and retailers in Pati Regency, Central Java, during the wet and dry seasons in 2002.

This study examined the effects of fertiliser, mulch, cultivation and time of sowing on the growth and yield of peanut, mungbean and soybean following rainfed lowland rice. The study involved research stations or farm field experiments in East Java and Sulawesi. Trial design was a randomised incomplete block with four replicates and treatments applied as an incomplete factorial combination.

This report reviews previous agroforestry, forage and livestock projects in eastern Indonesia to assess the potential for integrated timber-forage-livestock agroforestry systems to improve the incomes of smallholder farmers in West Timor. It identifies strategies for developing more acceptable systems, proposes methods for their implementation and provides an assessment and analysis of the constraints to adoption of research results. The scoping study included field investigation and a social survey in West Timor in 2007.

Increased beef demand and prices could increase smallholder cash flow and production if feed quantity and quality limitations could be addressed. This project assessed the potential use of cocoa by-products as a cattle feed and various forage and tree legumes in managed grazing systems in South East Sulawesi (Sultra). Methodology involved laboratory, research facility and on farm trials. Results indicate cocoa pods could successfully be fed to Bali cattle (10-15g DM/kg live weight/d) while contributing to cocoa pod borer management and using simple low-cost processing for storage.

The low weight of Bali cattle for sale was a major issue related to smallholder farmer poverty and an impediment to the development of a cattle industry in eastern Indonesia. An ACIAR-funded research team established that the low weight was due to poor management, particularly nutrition, which led to low reproductive efficiency, and poor survival and growth of the calf.

This report identifies legumes for use in maize and upland rice-based systems of East Nusa Tenggara and contains additional information on biomass and seed production, agronomy (sowing, configuration, pests, weeds, disease) and benefits from legume use.