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Wet rice cultivation in Indonesia Chapter seven
The second sub question considers the impact that the identity of a traditional rural
community has considering the integration of modernisation trends in wet rice cultivation.
The Kasepuhan maintain and reinforce their identity through traditional rice cultivation,
because it is the ultimate way to express their holistic view of the universe. To include
innovations in wet rice cultivation means disturbing the balance and harmony in the
universe. They believe that this will cause disaster, and the worst-case scenario is a failed
harvest.
The third sub question focuses on the impact of traditional authority considering the
integration of modernisation trends in wet rice cultivation. In chapter three, it became clear
that a traditional leader must be reserved with introducing innovations because one of his
most important responsibilities is maintaining harmony and balance in the community, as a
reflection of cosmovision. Because the ancestors choose their leader, the people of the
Kasepuhan accept his leadership and power in an unlimited way.
The fourth sub question is about the features of a traditional wet rice system.
Chapter six made clear that the traditional system of the Kasepuhan characterises itself by
one harvest per year and selling rice is an absolute taboo. Traditional leaders do have a
decisive influence on decision-making processes such as the timing of ploughing, irrigation,
sowing and harvesting. Sowing happens with rice branches and using chemical fertilisers
and pesticides is not possible. Harvesting must be done with a specific traditional tool and
threshing takes place in a hollow tree trunk. Per harvest, there is an average yield of two
tonnes of high quality rice per hectare. Numerous ceremonies take place throughout the
year such as tebar before sowing, syukuran for the protection of crops and Seren Taun as a
harvest and thanksgiving festival.
The fifth sub question considers if the traditional system has been subject to
modernisation influences. Based on the field data, we can conclude that the system has not
been influenced by any innovations. The only exception is the introduction of concrete
irrigation systems in the 1990s by development programs of international organisations. It is
likely that the Kasepuhan can cultivate higher and more areas due to these new systems.
The question arises why the traditional leaders have accepted these projects to be
executed. One could even argue that it is an innovation, which is not in line with ‘the
ancestors’ way of life’. Moreover, these irrigation systems also provide water for hydro
turbines that generate electricity, which is also an innovation. The answer might be that
these projects did not influence the characteristics of traditional wet rice cultivation as
described above. In this sense, this innovation is not in conflict with the ancestors’ way of life
and consequently, the universe is still in harmony and in balance.
The sixth sub question deals with the features of a non-traditional wet rice system
cultivated by non-Kasepuhan farmers. There are two harvests per year, for consumption
and as a commodity product. Only irrigation is a matter of collective decision-making.
Sowing takes place with seeds from high-yielding varieties or traditional varieties; chemical
fertilisers and pesticides are added to the field and harvest is done with a sickle. Threshing
can be done in a hollow tree trunk or with machines. Per harvest, there is an average yield
of three to four tons per hectare, of a lower quality of rice. A crucial problem is selling the
rice, which is hard due to transportation problems caused by remoteness, poor
infrastructure, and high costs. Consequently, the investments made cannot always be
earned back.
The seventh sub question is about if and how the non-traditional system has been
subject to modernisation influences. The sixth sub question made clear that the innovations
within this system are: the utilisation of high-yielding varieties; concrete irrigation systems;
chemical fertilisers and pesticides; the sickle for harvest; and machines for threshing rice.
We can explain the influence of modernisation trends by the fact that farmers of the nontraditional
system do not have to maintain an identity that directly relates to traditional wet
rice cultivation. Furthermore, there are no influential traditional leaders that maintain and
reinforce this identity. Thus, modernisation influences from outside can integrate easier in
the non-traditional system because farmers are more open towards such developments.
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