Many agricultural commodities in Central Kalimantan that once enjoyed their golden era are beginning to be abandoned.
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·5 minutes read
Many agricultural commodities in Central Kalimantan that once enjoyed their golden era are beginning to be abandoned. The farmers who still cultivate these commodities are attempting to implement more environmentally friendly practices, especially on peatlands.For decades, Zainal Arifin, 58, has relied on coconuts for a living. Since he was a mere 20-year-old, the coconut farmer in Bahaur Basantan subdistrict, Pulang Pisau district, has sold coconuts (Cocos nucifera) and copra. As a result, he was able to build a house and send his children to college.
Between 1990 and the 2000s, coconut was a mainstay product of his village, with 600 hectares of coconut plantations on the banks of the Kahayan River. However, it all changed with the expansion of oil palm plantation companies. Many local coconut plantations were converted into oil palm plantation. Coconuts were seen as commodities of the past.
As a great many oil palm plantation companies began to set up their businesses in the area, local coconut farmers became mere spectators. Some turned to working for the companies while others sold their land to them.
“The prices of coconut and copra fell. It was once so much higher. Around 2015, many farmers quit cultivating coconuts and switched [to oil palm],” Zainal said on Wednesday (12/2/2020).
That year, a large fire destroyed forests and peatlands, caused by land clearing by burning and the construction of canals that dried up the peatlands and vulnerable to fire.
“It was a disaster. It was difficult for us to breathe, our children were sick and the land and vegetation were consumed by the fire,” recalled Zainal.
Amid the massive development of oil palm plantations, Zainal and eight other coconut farmers strived to remain loyal to their crop. They formed the Coconut House, a group of coconut farmers that was very recently transformed into a village-owned company (BUMDes).
With the guidance and facilitation of the Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) and the Partnership for Governance Reform (Kemitraan) civil society group, the farmers looked into alternative ways of managing peatlands without clearing by burning. They looked at developing the local commodity by making coconut derivative products such as virgin coconut oil (VCO), coconut cooking oil and coconut crackers. They decided to develop VCO and other derivative products because these were closely tied to the coconut farmers’ daily lives.
“Many have used VCO for a long time whenever there are someone sick or injured. VCO is also used to boost stamina. My mother uses it for her hair,” House of Coconuts member Bainudin, 40, said.
Today, Bahaur Basantan is not the only village making coconut derivative products, and they are also made in three other neighboring villages: Papuyu I Sei Pasanan, Bahaur Hulu Permai and Dandang. In one day, the villages produce 35 bottles of VCO and 10 bottles of coconut cooking oil, while coconut crackers are made to order.
Another success story is found in Maliku district, Pulang Pisau, where the farmers have innovated by making lime syrup.
Another success story is found in Maliku district, Pulang Pisau, where the farmers have innovated by making lime syrup.
Similar to the coconuts of Bahaur, limes have become neglected in Maliku due to falling prices. The current lime price in the district ranges from Rp 90,000 (US$6.58) and Rp 100,000 for 50 kilograms. The normal price is Rp 150,000 per 50 kg.
Due to widespread concern over the falling price of limes, the women of Melati, a local family welfare and empowerment group, took the initiative to produce lime syrup. A 150-milliliter bottle of lime syrup sells for Rp 15,000. This month alone, they have received orders for 45 bottles of the syrup.
In Sidodadi village of Maliku district, bawang dayak (Eleutherine bulbosa; Dayak onion) and mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia; noni) are being processed into powdered beverages and teas, with markets that extend beyond Central Kalimantan. The Dayak onion is believed to have health benefits.
Teas and powdered beverages made from the Dayak onion and noni sell for Rp 25,000 to Rp 50,000 per 200- to 500-gram packs. The women manage the entire production process and produce 100 packs of the beverages in one month.
Revitalizing economies
According to Kemitraan data, 48 local products are made in 46 environmentally aware villages in the peatlands of Central Kalimantan. Most of these peatlands were once burned for clearing.
The BRG’s education, public awareness, participation and partnerships deputy, Myrna Safitri, said that the agency’s economic revitalization initiative included guidance programs for local communities. It was hoped that the results could be used to manage and maintain peatland fire prevention infrastructures, such as drilled wells and canals. Another result was peatland conservation, since the peatlands were managed without burning. These new agricultural patterns were hoped to lead to improved restoration and preservation of peatlands
“When used wisely, peatlands can be highly productive. With economic revitalization, the local people can benefit and peatlands will be preserved,” she said.
Various innovations in peatland management that do not employ clearing by burning have helped the people fulfill their daily needs, including paying for medical bills and their children’s education. Innovating can help preserve the peatlands.