Directory of tree seed suppliers in Indonesia

Seed is the most important input of any tree planting or reforestation program. Adequate quantities of seed assure planting targets can be achieved. The use of quality seed - combined with good planning and management - leads to high tree survival, fast tree growth, and program success. Unfortunately, the availability of tree seed is often limited. Surveys indicate that nearly all Indonesia-based non-government organizations (NGOs) and farmers groups active in tree planting activities lack access to tree seed of adequate quantity and quality. Many projects and government offices face similar shortages. This problem is exasperated by a paucity of information concerning tree seed suppliers. At the national and provincial levels some lists of tree seed suppliers exist, but they are not widely circulated nor frequently updated. In the international directory of tree seed suppliers published by ICRAF in 2002 only one Indonesia firm is listed.The majority of tree seed used in Indonesia is collected, exchanged and traded through the informal sector. The seed collectors and traders involved in this sector generally have little formal training in seed technology. They record and report little information concerning the source and quality of the seed they collect. This lack of information makes it difficult for consumers to evaluate the seed available from these suppliers. In Indonesia the informal seed sector operates on personal linkages of past contacts and word of mouth. Some suppliers are able to sell large quantities of seed because of strong customer linkages. Based on past experience, these suppliers collect seed to fill specific orders and meet anticipated last-minute orders. However, the potential of most suppliers is limited because they lack strong consumer linkages. Likewise most consumers (seed users) have little idea where to secure seed and consistenly suffer seed shortages. Projects and NGOs may contract local farmers to collect small volumes of seed, but for large volumes they contact big seed suppliers in Central and East Java. Some of the seed sold by these big suppliers is collected on outer islands, shipped to Java and then re-sold to consumers on outer islands - sometimes to the same islands from which the seed was originally collected. The information and linkage gap between consumers and suppliers in Indonesia causes the national tree seed collection - distribution pathways to be inefficient, resulting in higher prices and seed of sub-optimal quality.

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