Community tells how it returned to nature to meet more of its needs

SAWANGAN, Bogor (JP): A three-day celebration of World Environment Day began yesterday in Cinangka subdistrict in Sawangan with a personal account of how a community can return to nature to meet its needs.

The event involving artists and local residents was hosted on the first day by radio broadcaster Debra H. Yatim at her home. Debra, who is also the deputy with the Komseni public relations group, is coorganizing the event with the Indonesian Performance Arts Society (MSPI) and the Ford Foundation, among others.

Activities will include musical shows, poetry reading and the planting of rare fruit seeds.

Dialog participants yesterday included former environment minister Emil Salim and musician Jalu Pratidina.

Debra told of her involvement with residents to improve their environment and enhance their personal welfare.

She said the village, despite its official registration of 70 percent farmers, only had three residents doing actual farming before her project began.

"They were ashamed to call themselves farmers" because of the country's larger priority on industry.

Privately owned tracts of land in the village measuring up to one hectare lay overrun with tall grass, weeds and snakes for about a quarter century.

Debra said she called up the landowners and asked their permission for residents to grow plants on them for free.

"People cannot rely on the government anymore for food," Debra said was her argument.

The owners agreed and eventually 10 people worked on the land.

"First, we planted groundnut seeds. The seeds ate away the roots of the weeds. We harvested the crops after three months and planted cash crops like green pepper, lettuce and everything you put in the ordinary salad.

"After six months, farmers can eat the food they grow. It took me only Rp 900,000 in all for the buying of seeds and clearing of weeds and grass."

She said residents opted for fertilizers made of organic waste from their kitchens rather than expensive chemical-based ones. Youngsters joined in helping make the fertilizers.

Debra added that subdistrict residents were also involved in making recycled paper, for which there was already a sizable market.

"A hotel will demand 1,000 papers a day."

Given the condition of the country's economy, she said the efforts were "the best that can be done today". (ylt)