Farmers burdened by landowner's request
TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of Cihuni farmers in Legok district here are seeking help from Tangerang regent Agus Djunara in their dispute with the owner of a plot on which they are cultivating crops.
Villagers said on Wednesday the sudden demand of property developer PT Telaga Gading Serpong to a third of proceeds from crop sales was burdensome for them. They cultivate bananas, cassava, corn and other vegetables on the 147 hectares, an undeveloped portion of the firm's huge housing complex.
"Principally, we have no objection to the company's request to earn some money from the yields," Sofyan, 35, a leader of the group, told reporters.
"But asking for a one-third portion of the total harvest burdens us because we have spent quite a lot of money, such as for the fertilizer and transportation, to cultivate and sell the crops."
Villagers claim Telaga Gading Serpong's management threatened them in a meeting last month with eviction from the site unless they were willing to fulfill the demand.
Farmers began cultivation at the site six months ago with the company's permission.
A crowd of top officials, including West Java Governor R. Nuriana, were on hand to witness Telaga Gading Serpong's public goodwill gesture in a ceremony to mark the first cultivation season.
During the ceremony, Sofyan said, the company's management told assembled guests the farmers were not expected to hand over their produce.
He acknowledged a stated condition was that farmers relinquish the plot whenever the company requested.
According to Sofyan, the developer's demand would translate into Rp 100,000 from every metric ton of cassava at the current rate of Rp 300,000 per ton.
"It's too burdensome. After the fertilizer and transportation costs, the remainder should be shared among 224 farmers on average," he said.
"We therefore only want to share proceeds earned from the harvest with Telaga Gading Serpong based on a system approved by the farmers."
Farmers are about to harvest 20 tons of cassava and two tons of rice.
Ariesman Widjaya, the company's field project manager, said the management was forced to make the "problematic" request due to inevitable financial problems faced by the company during the economic crisis.
He said the funds were badly needed to prevent layoffs.
"We have a big labor force. It's impossible to sell houses during this time," Ariesman said, referring to residences located on another portion of the huge site.
He acknowledged the developer was unable to develop the site during the crisis, but would continue to allow farmers to plant crops in an arrangement based on "mutual understanding".
"We both have to give benefits to each other and I think one- third already makes sense. On other idle land, the owners ask for a 50-50 split."
He said no request for a proceed share was made at the launching ceremony because the company was not suffering financial difficulties at the time.
Separately, Agus Djunara pledged to check on the villagers' complaint with the Legok chief.
He believed Telaga Gading Serpong's request was unusual.
"It's uncommon for a developer to ask for a share of the harvest because the farmers have to buy fertilizers and plants, which needs a lot of money," he said.
"Should the developer really intend to obtain a certain portion of the harvest, they should discuss the matter as early as possible without having to worry the farmers." (41/bsr)