North Maluku Reveals Dozens of Food Crops, Highlighting Genetic Resource Potential

Maluku Utara is not only known as the 'Spice Islands.' The region also harbors a wealth of food crops that grow in community gardens, yards, and agricultural land. Sago, corn, bananas, breadfruit, cassava, various types of beans, and diverse sweet potatoes are part of the genetic resources that can potentially support the region's food needs. According to the identification of plant genetic resources in 2020, at least 49 types of food and horticultural crops originating from Maluku Utara have been registered with the Ministry of Agriculture. This includes 41 accessions of food crops and eight horticultural crops. Among the food crops, there are 13 varieties of rice, 11 types of sweet potatoes, 9 types of cassava, 5 types of peanuts, 2 varieties of corn, and one type of cowpea. Meanwhile, the horticultural group consists of oranges, shallots, two types of bananas, and four types of breadfruit. This data illustrates that the carbohydrate sources for the people of Maluku Utara are actually far more diverse than rice. One food crop with significant potential is 'batatas,' the local term for sweet potato. In West Halmahera, this plant is not only consumed as food but also serves as a source of income for farmers. Demand comes from various regions, including Central Halmahera, Ternate, and even Maluku Tenggara. At least four types of local batatas are cultivated by farmers, namely ink-colored or purple batatas, orange batatas with palmate leaves, yellow batatas with palmate leaves, and white batatas with broad leaves. These color and shape differences indicate genetic diversity that is important to preserve. Each variety can have different characteristics, ranging from taste, texture, flesh color, nutritional content, to adaptability to environmental conditions. This diversity offers farmers more choices to adapt their crops to the environment, contributing to the stabilization of the local economy and the improvement of food self-sufficiency. The diversity of food resources in Maluku Utara will become an important foundation for sustainable agricultural development and strengthening the food security of local communities.