Modoinding Subdistrict, located in South Minahasa, North Sulawesi (SULUT), is often referred to as the “Kitchen of Eastern Indonesia” due to its critical role as a major vegetable supplier, not only for North Sulawesi but also for several other provinces across Indonesia. A visit to Modoinding on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, was part of a site visit agenda led by Jeremy Badgery-Parker and the ACIAR SULUT team. After a four-hour journey from the city of Manado, the team reached the area to meet with farmers who have the potential to become key partners in the project.
The primary stop was in Wulur Ma’atus Village, where a gathering was held at the home of Mr. Yol Pandaleke. “Seed quality consistency and post-harvest management are frequent challenges we face,” said Renly, an agricultural extension officer attending the meeting. Each participant shared their good practices as well as common issues encountered in their fields. The presence of the ACIAR SULUT team—composed of individuals from various professional backgrounds—enabled a rich and complementary discussion, offering mutual support and insights. Dr. G. S. Suhartati Djarkasi, Project Leader of the ACIAR SULUT team, emphasized that this project is designed to facilitate inclusive collaboration among actors within the local agri-tourism ecosystem through the identification, development, evaluation, and intervention of value creation initiatives.
After the discussion, the ACIAR team was invited to visit a potato storage facility used to hold harvested potatoes, as well as observe a local innovation known as the Kalero—a distinctive example of Minahasan ingenuity. The Kalero is a multipurpose vehicle tailored to support agricultural activities. It not only functions as a transport vehicle for harvested crops but also serves to carry various farming tools needed during the production process. (AYS)
