Profiting from Local Produce
Indonesia is habitat to 17 percent of the worlds flora. Of the 28,000 species of plants identified by the Environment and Forestry Ministry, more than 400 were found to be endemic to the archipelago. Farmers are discovering unique plants that can provide them with alternative marketable crops. In 1999, a farmer at Hiyung village in South Kalimantan discovered a species of chili pepper on the nearby mountain that turned out to be 17 times hotter than the existing species. Since 2000, most of Hiyung villagers have turned to cultivating this unique type of chili and earning a higher income. Meanwhile, Bisikori village in Southeast Sulawesi has become a supplier of the patchouli plant, a popular ingredient for producing essential oils. Residents in both villages today no longer rely solely on the forest for their livelihood. Tempo English reports from South Kalimantan and Southeast Sulawesi.
February 7, 2017
Extra Hot Chili Brings Extra Income
Villagers in Hiyung, South Kalimantan, have discovered a spicier chili variety. The 'hiyung' chili has become the village's main source of income.
EVERY day, Rahim goes to work at the two-hectare chili farm near his house in Hiyung village in South Kalimantan. He sees no need to plant other commodities on his land because growing chili is enough to support his family of four.
"It's profitable because the chili is a sp
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