Journal of Agriculture and Applied Biology ( JAAB)
Vol 2 No 2 (2021): Journal of Agriculture and Applied Biology

Sago and the indigenous peoples of Papua, Indonesia: A review

Fathir Fajar Sidiq (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom)
David Coles (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom)
Carmen Hubbard (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom)
Beth Clark (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom)
Lynn J. Frewer (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Oct 2021

Abstract

A significant concern with the food security issue worldwide is indigenous peoples and their food resources. The indigenous peoples of Papua are still very dependent on rice, a heavily imported commodity. During the global pandemic, the indigenous peoples of Papua faced the issue of food supply and food resilience. Simultaneously, Indonesia has the largest sago (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) palm-growing areas, accounting for over half (51%) of the 2.3 million hectares of sago worldwide, and about 90% of sago is estimated to be in Papua and Maluku. Indigenous food crops such as sago are exceptionally resilient to adverse local environments, highlighting their crucial role in ensuring food and nutrition security, particularly during a natural disaster. However, despite sago’s multiple uses and benefits, it is still poorly evaluated as a food resource by the government, with consumption at relatively low levels. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art regarding indigenous peoples and their food resources, focusing on why sago is essential, not only for the indigenous peoples of Papua but also for the possibility of introducing sago to the world.

Copyrights © 2021






Journal Info

Abbrev

jaab

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry

Description

Journal of Agriculture and Applied Biology (J. Agric. Appl. Biol.) is striving to disseminate recent techniques and applications in agriculture and applied biology for researchers, students, and scholars in research institutes and universities worldwide. Journal focuses on crops, from seed to ...