People, land and sea : development challenges in eastern Indonesia

This monograph discusses population growth and development issues in the five Indonesian provinces with its hundreds of islands directly east of Bali. The population in these provinces which numbers 10.9 million or 6.1% of total national population is poor due to isolation from the center of power in Jakarta underdevelopment of transport and communication infrastructure the long dry season and limited agricultural land area and limited human resource development. Population growth rates are over 2%. The development planning problem is the difficulty in identifying a unified approach and an acceptable set of operating principles to follow in dealing with the ethnic and religious diversity and longstanding cultural traditions. Data shortages further limit options. This book compiles available information on the setting development planning and implementation population growth health family well-being family planning education employment the environment and sustainable development. The East Indonesian population is resistant to control from Java but does not have a strong regional network. Over the centuries the Irianese have developed sophisticated agricultural systems that include sweet potato farming on steep hillsides without significant erosion. The allocation system for dispersing central government funds could stimulate population growth at the expense of sustainability. Recommendations are made pertaining to the topics addressed in each of the seven chapters.