Is Sago the Answer to Food Security in West Papua, Indonesia?

Abstract

Indigenous peoples and their access to food resources are a major concern in regard to the global food security issue. The indigenous peoples of West Papua, Indonesia have recently become dependent on imported rice, which has replaced locally produced sago as an important component of their diet. The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to study the indigenous peoples of West Papua and their traditional food resource; sago (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) and to understand if there is a need to promote and preserve traditional food knowledge of sago based on local culture and agronomic practices, as well as in relation to food security. An initial systematic review focused on the role of traditional diets for food security for the indigenous peoples in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) was conducted. Given that the review indicated a knowledge gap in relation to indigenous peoples, sago, and food security in West Papua, a further, and broader, review was conducted explicitly focusing on this issue. The results indicated that there is a need to promote and preserve traditional food knowledge within indigenous peoples in order to reduce reliance on imported food, promote local biodiversity, and improve food security. Qualitative interviews were applied to explore the motivating factors, and barriers related to sago consumption amongst the indigenous peoples of West Papua. Various stakeholders: politicians, local and national civil servants, academics, sago farmers, and food activists, were interviewed (n=18). The results recommended that sago consumption culture must be maintained and preserved for the Papuan people. A quantitative analysis, building on the results of the systematic review and the interviews, was conducted to determine predictors of sago consumption behaviour among indigenous peoples of West Papua. The data was obtained by distributing questionnaires to 250 respondents. Results show that perceived facilitating external conditions made the greatest contribution to sago consumption intentions and self reported sago consumption propensity. Finally, a photovoice study was conducted with younger participants (n=8, age range 18 years old – 22 years old) of West Papuans concerning their understanding of sago as traditional food. The findings established a shared knowledge and appreciation for sago as a staple food and for their cultural identity. In addition, this study demonstrated that the family is the primary source of early knowledge transmission regarding sago consumption. Taken together, the results of the research are used to develop policy recommendations regarding the continuity of sago consumption practices is essential to improve the food security system in West Papua, Indonesia.