Tepung Sagu
Sago palms are indigenous plants belonging to the species of the Metroxylon genus and the Palmae family. There are more than nine different species growing in Indonesia, and this archipelago holds 55% of the sago palm population. The highest concentration of plants is in the areas of Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi (Kendari), Riau (Selat Panjang, Meranti), South Kalimantan (Amuntai), West Java (Cirebon) and Banten (Pandeglang).
For centuries, sago has been a staple food in Indonesia and for its importance it is also known as the “hidden white pearl”. Recent research indicates that the sago palm was also an important food source for the ancient people of coastal China, in the period prior to the cultivation of rice. Local people use all parts of the plant from the leaves to build the traditional houses’ roof, to the fiber, which is used as an organic fertilizer. On the island of Sulawesi the dried leaves are used to wrap the local “bagea” biscuits. Also, the larvae living inside the trunk are an important source of protein for local people, and can be eaten raw, cooked in coconut milk or simply fried and accompanied by sago porridge.
However, the most important by-product of this precious plant is the starch: sago starch is used to make porridge (papeda), biscuits (bagea and kue bangkit), noodles, soups, crackers, puddings and bread. In the Sepik River region of New Guinea, pancakes made from sago are a staple food, often served with fresh fish. The starch is obtained from the trunk by washing the pith with water. Depending on the region, sago based food is also served during traditional ceremonies.
Sago starch is sold in local markets, but in remote areas such as the hinterland of Papua, indigenous people collect the palms from the nearest forest, and then produce the sago starch for home consumption.
Besides its importance and high wild productivity, the sago palm is neglected in Indonesia. Although it has a high content of carbohydrate that could support local food security, the government current policy is to promote the cultivation and distribution of rice to support and feed the locals. However, these varieties need fertilizers, causing the population to rely on the central government for rice aid, a cereal that has now become a staple food. To fulfill the high need for rice, the government is importing it from other countries. Another risk is represented by the creation of new regions in the Papua area, where sago plants are being cut to create borders for the new regions without being replanted elsewhere. At present, the Directorate General of Plantation, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bogor Agriculture Institute are conducting a survey for sago palm species and population in Papua.
