Temanggung's potent tobacco history
<p>Temanggung's potent tobacco history</p><p>R. Kristiawan, Contributor, Temanggung, Central Java</p><p> A small town in Central Java called Temanggung is far more
famous than Jakarta, and at least as popular as Bali, for many of
the people of Bremen, Germany.</p><p>Why should a little town located between Mt. Sumbing and Mt.
Sindoro can be so popular? According to one Bremen resident,
Bremen used to be a thriving center for the tobacco trade in
Europe and Temanggung was distinguished for its high quality
tobacco.</p><p>Temanggung is indeed synonymous with tobacco to many
connoisseurs. In the small town, people have been growing the
plant for centuries. And it grows very well indeed, thanks to a
perfect balance of climate and fertile soil.</p><p>The region's high quality tobacco contains some 3 to 8 percent
nicotine, the kind of tobacco loved by hedonistic smokers.</p><p>One of Temanggung's unique types of tobacco is the one locally
called srinthil, a genetically altered strain which is extremely
rich in nicotine. Its scent alone is preferred by growers and
consumers.</p><p>Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) was introduced for the first time
in Temanggung in 1630 by Dutch colonial farmers together with
other potential plants such as Robusta coffee.</p><p>In a very short time, the Dutch found that tobacco grew
exceptionally well in the fertile soil of the region.</p><p>Demand for Temanggung tobacco has remained high for the last
several hundred years. Kretek or clove cigarette companies depend
on 14 to 26 percent of the total production of Temanggung tobacco
yearly.</p><p>The tobacco industry in the region contributes some Rp 7.5
trillion in taxes to the local government.</p><p>This is one of the reasons why tobacco has become the region's
main source of income as well as for the 66,072 people involved
in the business.</p><p>Covering an area of some 11,000 hectares, tobacco plantations
in Temanggung yields some Rp 10 million per year, per hectare.</p><p>With good conditions, the average revenue that Temanggung can
expect from the plantation can be as much as Rp 20 million per
hectare per year -- less the amount the local government is
entitled to in taxes, which is on average about Rp 2.6 million
per year. In 1997, the taxes and fees reached a peak of Rp 4
million per hectare.</p><p>Tobacco also contributes a great deal to the Gross Regional
Domestic Income (PDRB). During the period from 1993 to 1998 local
administrators recorded an average contribution of 12.47 percent.</p><p>The statistics show that tobacco is a very important, but high
risk business in Temanggung.</p><p>Growing tobacco is not easy. If the farmers make a mistake in
predicting the climate, for instance, millions of rupiah can
vanish from their hands.</p><p>"If rain falls during the dry season, the plant will decay
quickly," said Untung Prabowo of the local plantation bureau.</p><p>Tobacco prices, too, fluctuate dramatically. Last year, for
instance, the price for Temanggung tobacco was Rp 20,887 per
kilogram. In 1997, it was only Rp 4,456 per kilogram.</p>
famous than Jakarta, and at least as popular as Bali, for many of
the people of Bremen, Germany.</p><p>Why should a little town located between Mt. Sumbing and Mt.
Sindoro can be so popular? According to one Bremen resident,
Bremen used to be a thriving center for the tobacco trade in
Europe and Temanggung was distinguished for its high quality
tobacco.</p><p>Temanggung is indeed synonymous with tobacco to many
connoisseurs. In the small town, people have been growing the
plant for centuries. And it grows very well indeed, thanks to a
perfect balance of climate and fertile soil.</p><p>The region's high quality tobacco contains some 3 to 8 percent
nicotine, the kind of tobacco loved by hedonistic smokers.</p><p>One of Temanggung's unique types of tobacco is the one locally
called srinthil, a genetically altered strain which is extremely
rich in nicotine. Its scent alone is preferred by growers and
consumers.</p><p>Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) was introduced for the first time
in Temanggung in 1630 by Dutch colonial farmers together with
other potential plants such as Robusta coffee.</p><p>In a very short time, the Dutch found that tobacco grew
exceptionally well in the fertile soil of the region.</p><p>Demand for Temanggung tobacco has remained high for the last
several hundred years. Kretek or clove cigarette companies depend
on 14 to 26 percent of the total production of Temanggung tobacco
yearly.</p><p>The tobacco industry in the region contributes some Rp 7.5
trillion in taxes to the local government.</p><p>This is one of the reasons why tobacco has become the region's
main source of income as well as for the 66,072 people involved
in the business.</p><p>Covering an area of some 11,000 hectares, tobacco plantations
in Temanggung yields some Rp 10 million per year, per hectare.</p><p>With good conditions, the average revenue that Temanggung can
expect from the plantation can be as much as Rp 20 million per
hectare per year -- less the amount the local government is
entitled to in taxes, which is on average about Rp 2.6 million
per year. In 1997, the taxes and fees reached a peak of Rp 4
million per hectare.</p><p>Tobacco also contributes a great deal to the Gross Regional
Domestic Income (PDRB). During the period from 1993 to 1998 local
administrators recorded an average contribution of 12.47 percent.</p><p>The statistics show that tobacco is a very important, but high
risk business in Temanggung.</p><p>Growing tobacco is not easy. If the farmers make a mistake in
predicting the climate, for instance, millions of rupiah can
vanish from their hands.</p><p>"If rain falls during the dry season, the plant will decay
quickly," said Untung Prabowo of the local plantation bureau.</p><p>Tobacco prices, too, fluctuate dramatically. Last year, for
instance, the price for Temanggung tobacco was Rp 20,887 per
kilogram. In 1997, it was only Rp 4,456 per kilogram.</p>