T

he 326 tobacco farmers in Klaten and Boyolali, Central Java, have decided not to plant any crops in 2017’s second planting season in April and May because of concerns that bad weather would cost them millions of rupiah.

Dulham, 45, a farmer from Mainsrenggo district in Klaten, said they had decided to leave their land fallow for the next two or three months. The decision followed the poor leaf quality and low prices caused by frequent heavy rains during the first planting season. He said farmers are worried the downpours would continue and again effect quality and prices.

“In the last planting season, we could only sell our best quality tobacco for Rp 30,000 [US$2.25] to Rp 40,000 per kilogram, while in 2015 the price could reach Rp 60,000. Many tobacco farmers suffered losses,” he said on Monday.

Another farmer, named Jauhari, 51, from Cepogo district in Boyolali, also said farmers’ reluctance to plant tobacco was based on the recent extreme weather and the fluctuating prices for tobacco, which depended on cigarette companies.

“I’m sure there will be fewer farmers planting tobacco this planting season. Tobacco quality and prices are always determined by big companies,” he said.