Empowering certified garlic seed producers to increase local production in Sembalun highlands of Eastern Lombok, Indonesia

West Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (Balai Pengkajian Teknologi Pertanian), West Nusa Tenggara Province, 83371 Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: mardiana.hakim@gmail.com

Abstract

Garlic demand in Indonesia reaches 500,000 tons yearly and 82.5% supplied from importation. This problem could be addressed by increasing national production. However, garlic production is very dependent on seeds availability, therefore efforts to produce high quality seeds is a must. One of the efforts is through developing certified garlic seed producers. This research aims to study efforts by Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (AIAT) West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia in empowering growth of new certified seed producers in Lombok Island. Data obtained through in-depth interviews with existing seed producers, new seed producers, community leaders and garlic farmers during 2017-2018. The results showed that formation of two new certified seed producers could increase the coverage of farmers who are assisted from the previous 10 to 20 farmers per group who have a commitment to work together to sell their garlic seeds. Seed producers can be a communication channel that increases farmers' knowledge on garlic cultivation because of an increasingly extensive network and sources of information. Supervising process to new certified seed producers enabling them to produce high quality seeds. In addition, certified garlic seeds produced are easier to recognize by buyers and able to penetrate national market with competitive prices.