Abstract
ABSTRACT Edible birds’ nests (EBNs) have traditionally been produced in Southeast Asia. Indonesian farmers construct buildings for swiftlets and harvest their nests. EBN farming does not directly degrade forest resources and is therefore considered a sustainable means of production, whereas the expansion of other agricultural activities often relies on the degradation of natural resources. This study examines the relationship between natural resources and agricultural livelihoods, focusing on Indonesian EBN farmers. Using survey data that we collected in 2017, combined with satellite information on the extent of the forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, we measured production efficiency and identified the natural and social factors that enhance production performance. The results show that a forest extent ranging between 2,000 and 6,000 meters from nesting building is positively associated with the production efficiency of EBN farming, perhaps because extensive forest could help swiftlets to collect food and build nests. Conversely, while EBN farming is a sustainable and profitable option, the initial costs of constructing buildings to house swiftlets may deter farmers from participating in the process.
Highlights
Edible bird’s nests (EBNs) are created by some swiftlet species and harvested by farmers for home consumption such as food and medicine
While this study focuses on the quantitative association between EBN and natural resources, qualitative information such as the background of farmers' settlements and forest management methods is important in determining their use of natural resources and assessing their livelihood
This study investigates how natural resources and social factors influence the efficiency of EBN
Summary
Edible bird’s nests (EBNs) are created by some swiftlet species and harvested by farmers for home consumption such as food and medicine. 1 This natural product has been used as a luxury ingredient, traditional medicine, and most often as bird’s nest soup, in China, for more than 400 years. With the increase in demand for EBNs since the late-1990s, these sources have been replaced by purposely-built nesting houses, which are usually reinforced concrete structures (House Of Bird’s Nest, 2020). These nesting houses are typically found in urban areas near the sea because the birds tend to flock in such places. The nests are mostly exported from those places to the markets in Hong
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