Sowing economic and environmental success<\/p>\n
R. Kristiawan, Contributor, Temanggung, Central Java<\/p>\n
Economic and environmental concerns are sometimes really hard
\nto mix. In reality, they should support each other but in too
\nmany cases, the environment is sacrificed for the sake of
\neconomic interests.<\/p>\n
Degradation of the soil quality in many areas in Temanggung is
\none example among many of poor environmental management.<\/p>\n
A 1999 study conducted by Djajadi, a researcher from Fiber
\nPlant and Tobacco Research Center in Malang, East Java,
\ndiscovered a decrease in both the productivity and quality of
\nTemanggung tobacco. Degradation of soil quality, in this case
\nsoil erosion, was the reason behind the decrease.<\/p>\n
Continuous and intensive tobacco planting, from generation to
\ngeneration, has been blamed for the soil erosion.
\nThe research discovered that such a planting system damaged the
\norganic composition of the soil, causing a decrease in the
\ncapacity of the soil to absorb rainwater. As a result, rainwater
\nwashed over the soil, carrying with it the fertile topsoil.<\/p>\n
Tobacco farmers here usually till the land in January and
\nFebruary, the time when rain falls heavily. Since the land has
\njust being plowed, the soil cannot absorb the rainwater well. A
\nhigh concentration of rainwater is left on the surface, causing
\nerosion.<\/p>\n
The magnitude of the problem of erosion in the region needs
\nurgent attention. A recent research conducted by Yogyakarta-based
\nGadjah Mada University's school of geography cited the average
\nerosion rate here at 53.72 tons per hectare per year on land with
\na declivity of 63 degrees.<\/p>\n
The level of erosion in areas known as main tobacco producers
\nlike Lamsi, Paksi and Toalo on the slopes of Mt. Sindoro that
\nhave a declivity of 30 degrees, was recorded as \"heavy\" to \"very
\nheavy\". From a distance, one can see the dry, critical condition
\nof the area, which in fact, contributes 30 percent of the total
\ntobacco production in Temanggung.<\/p>\n
Some farmers, in an effort to increase the organic content of
\nthe soil, add manure to the soil. This results in an increase in
\nthe price of manure. For the farmers, this is an added burden
\nconsidering that a hectare of land needs some 20 tons to 30 tons
\nof buffalo manure -- costing them between Rp 3 million to Rp 4
\nmillion.<\/p>\n
The local government had tried to do something about the
\nmatter by introducing policies that will gradually limit the
\ntobacco plantation area and by introducing new varieties of
\nagricultural plants.<\/p>\n
Temanggung Regent Sardjono, for example, decided in 1998 that
\nthe total area of tobacco plantation in the region should not
\nexceed 10,000 hectares. The policy was aimed mainly at
\nencouraging farmers not to plant tobacco only.<\/p>\n
So far, the policy seems to be working. The tobacco plantation
\narea has decreased from 17,727 hectares in 1998 to 11,645
\nhectares in 1999.<\/p>\n
\"Since we know that we cannot rely solely on tobacco due to
\nenvironmental problems, we have started to introduce new plant
\nvarieties including Arabic coffee. We chose plants that are
\nharvested annually in order to protect the soil from further
\nerosion,\" said Untung Prabowo of the local plantation office.<\/p>\n
However, he realized it was difficult to change the habit of
\nlocal farmers to plant tobacco, something they have done for
\ncenturies, within a short period.<\/p>\n
\"But there has been a good progress,\" Untung added.<\/p>\n
In Joho, for example, farmers have started to plant
\nwatermelon, while in Pringsurat farmers chose to plant Zalacca or
\nsalak as the fruit is locally known. Economically high-value crop
\nArabic coffee has also started to grow in Tlilir village.<\/p>\n
\"Those plants are good, both economically and ecologically.
\nThey do not damage the soil,\" said Untung, adding that the
\nfarmers might also plant vanilla for its high returns, Rp 110,000
\nper kilogram.<\/p>\n
\"But we're still waiting for a genetic engineering study
\nconducted by Gadjah Mada University to create disease-resistant
\nvanilla plants,\" Untung said.<\/p>\n
Previously, Temanggung farmers had produced vanilla but they
\nstopped it after finding it was susceptible to disease. Until
\nnow, tobacco is still Temanggung's number one agricultural
\nproduct.<\/p>",
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