White sandy beaches, crystal clear seawater, and lush greenery; The island of Misool is, without a doubt, the embodiment of a tropical paradise on earth. Situated in the district of Misool, this exquisite island is one of the four that make up the grandiose Raja Ampat archipelago in West Papua.
The beauty of Misool Island makes it one of the top-tier tourist destinations in Raja Ampat. However, the island provides more than just pleasing scenery to the wanderlusts. Deep within the island lies an abundance of natural resources, including food and non-food resources, potentially being valuable commodities in this eastern province of Indonesia.
Local Food Commodities of Misool Island
Taro, cocoa, coconut, and sweet potatoes are among the commodities farmed by the local communities in Misool District, which are similar to those cultivated by other areas in Raja Ampat. The district is best known for its large sago palms population in Raja Ampat Regency. As you may know, sago is the primary diet of most Papuans.
Heading to the southeastern of Misool Island, we will find many plantations, including durian, cocoa, and coconut. Yet still, the residents on the island cultivate food crops for their own needs. These include bananas, sweet potatoes, and corn.
While the communities still employ traditional agricultural techniques, they can produce five tons of copra (dried coconut kernels) in three months and around one ton of cocoa per year. The traders typically purchase directly from the community, later sold in Sorong Regency, West Papua.
Non-food Commodities of Misool Island
In addition to food commodities, Misool Island is believed to have an abundance of precious resources, including crude oil and coals, that are expected to be capable of becoming the country’s investment stock in the years to come.
– Oil in the Island of Misool
The geoscientist of the Indonesian oil company (Pertamina) has observed the potential oil and gas reserves in Salawati, Misool Island. The hydrocarbon analysis conducted in the Salawati Basin shows that the place has abundant energy reserves.
– Coal Potential in Misool Island
As the second-largest island in Raja Ampat, West Papua, the island of Misool has proven to be worth exploring for its plentiful resources. According to a study conducted by Dahlan Ibrahim, the island has the potential to be the coal reserves of the country, estimated at 7,222 million tons. This number is based on how the researchers observed the geological diversity in the island.
– Ceramics as the Historical Commodity
In the past, Raja Ampat served as a sort of gateway to international maritime trade, connecting Cendrawasih Bay with Maluku, the world’s spice capital. That is why so many ceramic fragments are found in multiple historical sites in Misool Island.
That also becomes evidence that thousands of years ago, the communities of Misool Island had long traded their privately cultivated agricultural products for non-agricultural goods, one of which being ceramics. Most of those pottery goods were initially from Europe, Japan, and China, which came in various forms, including bowls, plates, and teapot spouts.
While ceramic is no longer today’s commodity in Misool, it remains a valuable commodity that has also become part of this island’s history. Also, most of those ceramics are now kept in the local museum.
All the commodities that the island of Misool has are the essential aspect of the local communities’ daily life, be in the past, in the present, or years to come. Much like other regions in West Papua with an abundance of resources, the ones in Misool Island should also be used wisely, and some should be preserved to maintain their value.
