0 Decaying clove plantation threatens farmers, tourism

The clove plantation in Munduk, Buleleng, needs revitalization to maintain the area as a tourist attraction and to support local farmers’ livelihoods. Putu Wijaya, one of the farmers that helped make cloves in this area into a popular commodity, shared his concerns that farmers in the area might not be able to survive if the plantation was not revitalized. “Most trees in the plantation that were planted in the 1970s have entered a critical phase,” the 66-year-old man said when Bali Daily met him at his house in Munduk village recently. He said this would not only threaten tourism, but also the farmers. 

Buleleng is the largest clove producer in Bali. In 2011, the regency produced 583 of the 765 tons of cloves produced on the island. In Munduk, 90 percent of the farmers plant cloves, while the remainder plant coffee. Wijaya explained that clove trees had three critical phases. Trees over 40 years old, like the ones in Munduk plantation, had entered their final phase. He said there were also other factors that damaged the soil quality, including the local people’s recent habit of the last few years of collecting dry leaves that had fallen from clove trees to be sold to clove oil distillation factories. 

The dry leaves are worth Rp 1,000 (10 US cents) per kilogram. In the past, the leaves were left to rot and replenish the nutrients in the soil. “The Buleleng regent has ordered the closure of these factories, but since there is no legal basis, some purchasing agents still come and buy the dry leaves from the local people,” said the man, who still cares for his 10 hectare plantation. He said another factor that damaged the quality of the trees was the way the farmers picked the cloves. “It’s saddening to see how they pull off the tree branches and climb the trees without using any equipment.” 

The farmers’ age is also a problem on the plantation. “The youngest farmers are 50 years old. They might only be able to take care of these plants for 10 more years.” He asked the regency administration to revitalize the plantation by planting new saplings. “If there are no cloves, there will be fewer tourists coming here,” he said, adding that the clove plantation was the main tourist attraction in the hilly area close to Tamblingan and Buyan lakes. Some accommodation facilities with a view over the clove plantation are rented for high prices in Munduk, a two-hour drive from Denpasar. 

The accommodation, mostly cottages and bungalows, is offered at between $300 and $700 per room. Buleleng Regent Putu Agus Suradanyana said Munduk had the most tourism potential in the regency, besides Lovina and Pemuteran.

source : bali daily