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.

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 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.

This paper discusses the recent changes in cultivation of maize in Indonesia's South Sulawesi province. The authors present data to show the increases in area cultivated and in productivity of maize production in the region. Furthermore, they discuss how the pattern of maize varieties used in this province has changed in the last 15 years, namely from a wide use of local/white varieties (up to 40 per cent use in 1995), towards an increased use of open-pollinated superior varieties and hybrid maize varieties in the late 2000s.

This paper explores maize productivity and the yield gap in maize production in five provinces of Sulawesi. The research is based on secondary data collected for the period of 2001 to 2007 on harvested area, production, seed distribution and productivity. The findings revealed that average maize production and productivity varied significantly across the five provinces, from 64,664 tons in Central Sulawesi to 698,198 tons in South Sulawesi and from 2.21 t/ha in Southeast Sulawesi to 3.39 t/ha in Gorontalo. The paper documents the main constraints to production, including biophysical (e.g.

In this article, Da Silva and Murdolelono assess the feasibility of new maize cultivation technology in enhancing maize productivity, farmer income and food security among farming households in East Nusa Tenggara. The authors use data gathered through an experiment with 30 farmers in South Timor Tengah district during the 2007/08 rainy season. The new technologies were the open-pollenated maize variety Srikandi and recommendations on fertilizers and plant spacing.