Revealing the existence and potential of gayam (Inocarpus fagifer) as an alternative food source in Sukabumi, West Java

Abstract

Setyowati N, Wawo AH. 2015. Revealing the existence and potential of gayam (Inocarpus fagifer) as an alternative food source in Sukabumi, West Java. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1 (1): 71-77. Gayam (Inocarpus fagifer) is a potential alternative food source because its seeds contain high carbohydrate (75.79 to 77.70%). However, the plant is less known by public and studies on this plant have rarely been done. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the existence and the potential of gayam as a food source. Data collection was done using survey in 13-randomly-selected districts (22 villages). Gardens, agriculture farms, yards and fields near the water source were observed to find any gayam growing. The survey only found two gayam in study location. The trees were growing in the Krenceng, Pondokkaso Tengah village, Cidahu subdistrict. In this village, gayam is called as ‘gatet’. One tree has fruits, the age of tree was estimated to around 20 years old. The plant height was about 20 meters, stem circle 110 cm, crown width 9.0 m, the size of fruit i.e. length 6.95 cm, width 6.94 cm, diameter 4.18 cm, weight 94.6 grams and the water content of fruit 85.14%. The plant was growing near wellsprings and fish ponds, located at an altitude of 533 m above sea level, latitude 06o 92’ 247â€, longitude 92o 48’ 050â€. The tree has been several times producing fruits. The fruits were processed into a snack such as boiled, baked or chips, and sold in Jakarta in a limited production scale. Around the garden, we found 5 growing seedlings. Plants that grow near the gayam are coconut, jackfruit, durian, albizia, bamboo and banana. It can be concluded that gayam is rarely found growing in Sukabumi. People in Sukabumi are generally not familiar with gayam, as well as its utilization. The results of this study can be used as a basic information for the public and policy makers, that gayam can actually grow in Sukabumi without special treatment. Thus they potentially can be developed as an alternative food source, because its seeds contain high carbohydrate.