Butterflies in the Rain Forest of Irian Jaya, Indonesia

by World Wide Fund for Nature - Indonesia Programme

Partners:

World Wide Fund for Nature - Indonesia Programme (WWF-IP) Yayasan Bina Lestari Bumi Cenderawasih (YBLBC) University of Cenderawasih

Success Stories

While butterfly sales are still the main source of farmers' income, over the past year the organization of butterfly farming groups has acted as a catalyst for other income opportunities. In the past, several attempts have been made to introduce new agricultural produce and techniques to Arfak villages. Those crops that were successful in the market would then be planted by other areas. Villages with ready access to the Manokwari market, however, would benefit considerably more than those in remote areas.

Farmers have now organized themselves into groups along the lines of the butterfly farming groups. To reduce competition and distribute benefits, these agricultural groups agree to specialize their produce, dividing responsibility for carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, kidney beans, green beans, farmed fish and markisa syrup. A good selection of these Arfak products were available at the Manokwari Exhibition in October 1996, and farmers also make sales through the Manokwari office on a daily basis. Traditional and relatively new skills and ideas were combined to enhance income opportunities. New seeds were purchased with income from butterfly farming, which generated trust that support and assistance from YBLBC/WWF would be forthcoming. Agriculture remains an important part of the culture, while the project enables farmers to earn cash income without encroaching upon the forest. The communities themselves have motivated these developments.

Challenges

In June we were informed by the government that we were no longer permitted to export live pupae. Although pupae exports formed a very small part of income, they are important for the conservation aspect of the project as seen by many people in Western countries. Working with the Palu project in Sulawesi, who have the same problem, responses and representations were solicited from customers and experts. A report and presentation was prepared for a meeting with PHPA, to take place 8 October, 1996 to request a reversal of this policy.

	"OK...So What?"
... or, return to this Project's Main Menu

WHY BIODIVERSITY   FIELD STORIES   PARTICIPATE   RESULTS   MARKETSPACE ABOUT THE NETWORK   WHAT'S NEW   LEARNING MATERIALS   SEARCH   LINKS   SITE MAP   HOME