NEVER ask about the joys and sorrow of growing vegetables in Baumaki village, Tanimbar, West Southeast Maluku, from Pipianus Laian. The 50-year-old man has a long story about the sorrow.

“We must be tough to be vegetable farmers because of many constraints. If I hadn’t been so tough, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Pipianus.

Actually Pipianus has been farming since 20 years ago. At that time he was still living with his wife in a very