THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEADING FOOD COMMODITIES BASED ON LOCAL WISDOM IN FOOD-INSECURE AREA IN EAST NUSA TENGGARA PROVINCE, INDONESIA.

Food insecurity is still a major issue in developing countries, like Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara Province. 11 of 21 districts in this province are facing food insecurity. Therefore, efforts should be made to alleviate food insecurity in the community. One way is developing leading food commodities based on local wisdom. The aim of this study is to find a method for developing leading food commodities based on local wisdom, which can be applied in East Nusa Tenggara Province. This study uses secondary data taken and reviewed by the government. The data show that agricultural commodity cultivation the food-insecure area in East Nusa Tenggara is not specialized in certain agricultural commodities, meaning various agricultural commodities are available in various districts and they are not concentrated into a certain district. The availability of commodities is relatively spreading in various districts and is not concentrated in a certain district, although each district has particular leading commodities. Paddy can be cultivated in every food-insecure district except for the East and West Manggarai districts. It depends on the climatic conditions, temperature, humidity and the effort to procure adequate means of irrigation. Upland paddy "gogo", cassava, corn, soybeans, peanuts and sweet potatoes can be cultivated in all district by adjusting appropriate cropping patterns during rainfall, temperature, and humidity suitable for the commodities. The improvement of food security in order to overcome food insecurity in 11 of 21 districts in East Nusa Tenggara should be done by promoting local wisdom, especially by the development of agricultural cultivation based on customs and local potency. Increased focus needs to be put on local potentials regarding the development of staple foods, with the support of all parties and active participation of the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]