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.