Chilli is one of the main vegetables grown in Indonesia, with production increasing at an average rate of 20 per cent per year. This report presents the findings of a value chain analysis of the chilli industry in South Sulawesi, which was undertaken to determine market demand issues facing the vegetable industry in eastern Indonesia. The findings reveal that supply to supermarket gives the highest return to farmers, while the lowest value chain is the channel to traditional markets.

The extreme volatility of Indonesian chili prices has been a focus of government and public concern. This paper examines whether monthly chili prices over a 10-year period (2000 to 2009) for five cities on Java Island can be estimated with sufficient accuracy to make it economically feasible to build a short term storage activity into the chili marketing system. The findings show that in all locations prices respond to the previous month's price or relative prices.

With increasing population density and subsequent increases in fishing pressure, seaweed farming is an alternative income source for coastal villages traditionally reliant on artisanal fisheries. This study is a component of a larger thesis and investigates the impact of seaweed farming on the economy of a traditional fishing village in South Sulawesi. Data was obtained through random semi-structured interviews (n=31) with households.

This report covers a preliminary phase of a larger study to develop seaweed farmer groups as preferred exporter and processor suppliers. Informal interviews were conducted with farmers, collectors and exporters in Gorontalo. This report briefly outlines seaweed production and the Gorontalo value chain.

This report outlines the South East Sulawesi seafood supply chain including live fish and lobster, processed abalone and sea cucumber and seaweed. The report is based on desk research as well as meetings with seafood market chain operators, traders and buyers which are reported as case studies. The author outlines the role of Makassar in South Sulawesi as the trading centre for seafood products.

This report presents the findings of a scoping study to examine ways to increase the income of mango smallholders in eastern Indonesia as part of a supply chain. The analysis focused on researching issues in profitable supply chains, rather than identifying technical constraints. The findings reveal that current markets are heavily supplied with the Harumanis mango variety with little opportunity to develop new market opportunities in either export or out of season markets in other areas of Indonesia.

While maize production in Indonesia continues to increase, the country remains a net importer of maize. This report details the maize value chain from producers through to processors and retailers, and identifies opportunities for future development activities for increased competitiveness and farmer income in Eastern Indonesia. Analysis was informed by interviews with key sectors of the maize value chain in West Nusa Tenggara, East Java and East Nusa Tenggara.

This case study provides an overview of an ACIAR-funded project to minimise aflatoxin contamination in Indonesian and Australian peanuts through research, development and extension of on-farm and postharvest management practices. It details the motivation behind the project, which ran for five years from 2001 to 2006, and the main outputs and impacts it has or is expected to make.

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.

While the demand for specialty coffee in Indonesia is high, the industry is constrained by its inability to increase production. This study assesses the trade and marketing practices of Indonesian specialty coffee through interviews with different value chain actors— exporters, farmer associations and cooperatives, processors, traders and government representatives—in the provinces of South Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Aceh and Bali.