Smallholder Agroforestry Fruit Production in Lampung, Indonesia: Horticultural Strategies for Smallholder Livelihood Enhancement

Smallholder farmers in Lampung Province cultivate 1-5 ha of land producing both perennial and annual crops to meet their household and income needs. Soils across the province are inherently infertile. Most smallholders are dissatisfied with annual crop production and are interested in expanding their tree farming activities. Traditionally, smallholders cultivate a large number of horticultural fruit/vegetable species as well as timber, rubber, pepper/coffee, oil palm and coconut. The production of pepper/coffee, rubber, oil palm and coconuts are strongly market oriented. In contrast, the production of horticultural species remains primarily traditional. The species involved in smallholder horticultural systems, whether indigenous or introduced, are only 'semi-domesticated' - the germplasm utilized is of local, unselected origin and largely propagated from seed; management practices and inputs are non-intensive. Smallholders have poor access to market knowledge, channels and opportunities. The demand for horticultural products in Lampung exceeds supply and proximity to Jakarta offers access to potentially lucrative markets. Many smallholders have the basic skills required to transform their subsistence horticultural systems into semi-commercial enterprises. To facilitate this process smallholders need assistance to: 1) identify horticultural species/cultivars appropriate for smallholder biophysical and socioeconomic conditions; 2) adapt vegetative propagation and other horticultural management practices for smallholder conditions; and 3) develop permanent market linkages. The implementation of these activities should rely on the self-interest of smallholders to improve their livelihoods, rather than project financing. The enhancement and expansion of smallholder horticultural systems will also serve public environmental goals.