Buleleng farmers go green, reap benefits

Around 50 farmers in Bali have adopted integrated green farming techniques by using bio-friendly fertilizers as well as diversifying their farming products.

The farmers are associated with Sumber Tani Utama in Sumberkima, Gerokgak in Buleleng regency in North Bali. They started adopting the new method two months ago.

The new farming system allows farmers to cultivate various crops such as chili, corn, grapes, mangoes, coconut among others. The farmers also raised cows and processed the animals’ manure to produce natural fertilizers and biogas.

Farmer Ketut Kariasa, one of the groups members, said the system was adaptable, environmentally friendly and economically viable.

Farmers are now able to produce their own fertilizers for free from their cattle.

The group says the current national farming policy has burdened local farmers with the rocketing price of chemical fertilizers, lack of quality seeds, and unstable market prices.

Analysts have urged the government to change its policy to become more farmer-friendly to encourage local farmers to improve their impoverished living conditions.

Citing an example, producing liquid fertilizers from cow’s urine was quite simple, Kariasa said. The urine was placed in a big water container for at least six hours to eliminate its dangerous ammoniac substance.

“After six hours, we can shower the plants with the readily made liquid fertilizer,” explained Kariasa.

Meanwhile, cow manure is processed into biogas as well as fertilizers. “Some local households have chosen to switch to biogas to cook,” said Wayan Sri Artini, a village’s housewife.

“Using biogas is safer than using 3-kg gas cylinders for cooking. Moreover, we get biogas for free,” said Artini.

Villagers produce biogas by simply storing manure in large containers for three days.

Governor Made Mangku Pastika has encouraged local farmers to “go green”.

“Organic farming system is zero-waste program. It preserves the soils and increases the returns for local farmers,” said Pastika.

Bali provincial administration has provided Rp 200 million in supporting funds for each farmer’s group that chooses to adopts the farming method.

“We want to free the island of Bali from hazardous chemical waste,” added the governor.

Bali farmers have implemented chemical-based farming methods for the last 40 years, since the New Order government under former launched Indonesia’s Green Revolution to boost the country’s agricultural sector.