Biodiversity for Food Security: The Giant Swamp Taro ‘Dalugha’ from Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Biodiversity provides environmental services, foods, drugs, fibers and timbers for humans. The value of biodiversity to the Indonesian people is enormous. To feed its ever-growing population, the Indonesian government has made improving food security and food sovereignity a national priority. Achieving food security is intrinsically linked to the maintenance of biodiversity. This research was conducted in Tamako District, Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi. One of the most serious threats to biodiversity is climate change. Small islands can be impacted by extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and the effects of climate change. Local or native crops play important role in enhancing food security. Giant swamp taro Cyrtosperma merkusii known by local people as Dalugha is one of main staple food in the Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Prior to the introduction of rice, sago, cassava, and giant swamp taro were staple dietary sources for the Sangihe Islanders. Dalugha grows in swamps near the coast, where seawater inundates the swamp during high tide. It has a high nutritional value as a substitute food and easy to propagate. As a result, it is an essential crop for enhancing food security, especially in facing sea level rise and climate change.