Lazy, hazy days in the orchards of Batu town

Lazy, hazy days in the orchards of Batu town

By Gin Kurniawan

BATU, East Java (JP): Fruit trees, vegetable plants and
flowers grow luxuriantly over a wide expanse on the slopes of
shady hills here. This vast garden has been laid out naturally, a
delight for the eyes. It is not surprising that a great number of
visitors like to spend the entire day in this garden. They want
to feel the freshness of the cool air and the beauty of the
scenery while enjoying fresh fruit just picked from the trees.

A relaxed atmosphere while enjoying natural beauty in the
garden can only be felt at a special tourism location known as
agrotourism. An example of this kind of tourism is located in the
cool area of Batu, Malang regency, East Java. Agrotourism has
recently become a trend among the moneyed people of Surabaya and
other towns in the vicinity.

The number of agrotourists is high, especially during
weekends, holidays and school vacations. The daily average is
about 750 visitors. January 2000 saw the visit of some 20,000
people at this location.

This place promises an agreeable atmosphere for tourists who
wish to seek recreation for the whole day, especially on a Sunday
when the place is crowded during most of the day. Many people go
there to refresh their minds after days of hard work. "We feel it
is refreshing to be in the fruit and vegetable garden," said
Robert Cahyadi, a visitor who came from Surabaya with his family.

On Sundays people come in the early morning to enjoy the warm
water of the swimming pool. In the afternoon many come to chat
and eat fruit while waiting for the sunset. "From this place the
setting sun is a beautiful sight," said Hary Bagio, the
agrotourism manager.

The existence of tourism locations with an emphasis on gardens
has attracted many people to visit the Batu region which has been
known a long time as a natural tourism area in the Malang region.
This area has attracted an increasing number of tourists who stay
at the thousands of villas and hotels. This form of agrotourism
is managed by PT Kusuma Satria Dinasasri Wisata Jaya, better
known as Kusuma Argowisata, and promises a different atmosphere
compared to that of the tourism centers which existed before.

This area occupies a plot of land measuring about 20 hectares.
It has hotels, apple gardens, flowers, orange gardens, strawberry
and vegetable gardens. It also has seeds of all types of fruit
and vegetables and flowers which are managed with the
verticulture technique. The expansive garden is divided into two
areas: the Agro Apples and Flowers area and the Agro Strawberries
and Vegetables area. The areas are managed by different teams.
The entrance fee for each area is Rp 10,000. This is the rate for
a general visit. This allows visitors to take a maximum of two
apples and one glass of apple juice. The educational tourism
package has been designed for students who want to learn about
apple cultivation and Rp 16,000 per person. The participants are
given a presentation, lunch and may pick apples.

A unique regulation prohibits visitors from wearing jackets
and carrying bags. This is apparently to prevent the theft of
apples. Visitors think this regulation is excessive because they
are accompanied by special guides. The role of the guides is
certainly not limited to giving explanations. Their task is also
to supervise. "It is exaggerated to impose this regulation while
there are employees escorting the visitors," said Andriawan from
Surabaya.

If visitors want to take apples home they are free to do so.
They are allowed to pick the apples themselves but the fruit must
be put into a plastic bag that is weighed and at the same time
paid for. There are four types of apples in the area: Manalagi,
Rimbuoti, Anna and Wangli. The price per kilogram is about Rp
6,000.

To be allowed to pick apples directly from the trees is an
advantage offered by this tourism object. Visitors do not need to
worry about the stock of apples because there are always apple
trees in bloom. The apple garden is divided into 30 blocks. The
system of rotation applied ensures the continuous supply of
fruit. "Actually an apple tree bears fruit twice a year. By
applying agrotechnology we can have a continuous harvest during
the year," said Hery Bagio, the first man in this agrotourism
project.

Located 1,000 meters above sea level, this area is cool but
not too cold. It is easy to travel to the place, especially by
car. It can also be reached by bus from the Arjosari bus terminal
in Malang. It is only 24 kilometers away. The distance from
Juanda International Airport in Surabaya can be covered in two
hours. From Abdulrahman Saleh Airport in Malang the time required
is only 30 minutes.

Batu has been well known for a long time as a tourist area.
Therefore, accommodation facilities are in good supply. Hotel
rates range from the cheapest, i.e. the so-called melati
(jasmine) class, charging tens of thousands of rupiah per room,
to the star-rated hotels.

When agrotourism was introduced in 1986, in the beginning
people were cynical. It was because the soil in this area is
rocky and barren so there was pessimism regarding the prospects
of the project. However, dedication and hard work have overcome
all the problems. The barren land has become fertile. The rocky
slopes with hardly any economic value have been turned into a
high-selling green area. The land, originally priced at Rp 3,000
to Rp 4,000, is now worth Rp 300,000 per square meter.