TODAY, most people of Nemberala village along the coast of Rote Island, Rote Ndao regency, East Nusa Tenggara, may still be using the ground seeds of kesambi (Makassar oil tree—schleichera oleosa) as the wick of a traditional lamp. Some people would skewer and ignite them for lighting during nighttime.

But wait another 151 days, and the sour seeds of the approximately 3-meter-high trees on the barren hills of Nemberala and its environs can do