Moti

Besides cloves, food crops were also cultivated on the island of Moti; these were an important source of provisions for both Ternate and Tidore. The two sultanates had fought for possession of this island for many years. At Ternate's request, the VOC settled on Moti in 1609 and built Fort Nassau there. The rulers of Moti received 375 guilders from the VOC each year to cut down clove trees. In this way the VOC attempted to maintain control of all clove production and trading in the Molucca Islands.