Gede Jutawan was born and grew up in Mayungan, Baturiti,
a small village in northern central Bali. Although his family
was poor, he remembers a happy childhood. After attending
local elementary schools, Gede lived away from his family
and village in Ubud to attend high school. Gede now owns a
wonderfully fertile 1.8 hectare organic farm in Mayungan called
Bali Rungu or “Bali Cares.”
What kinds of work have you done in your life?
As a child I sold es campur to farmers and cut grass for our
cows - whatever I could to help my family. I also did cooking
and general labor for my uncle. In high school, I learned
to cook because I didn’t have the money for warung food.
What are your hobbies?
Cooking, playing guitar, creating my own style of clothing.
I like big baggy pants, big sandals and unusual hats!
How and when did you first become interested in gardening?
I always thought farming was for poor village people –
like my family. Then I met an American woman who first turned
me on to organic farming because she saw that I was interested
in plants. I thought she was crazy - it was too much work
and not “cool”. However, she sponsored me to attend
Greenhands Field School in Aceh to study permaculture.
The school was a wonderful experience and changed my life.
I learned the importance of organic farming. I didn’t
have any skill or future before this. Back in my village,
I started applying what I had learned. The old farmers thought
I couldn’t succeed because of my strange appearance
- red hair, flamboyant clothes and plugs in my ears. But now
they believe me.
Why is organic farming important?
Organic food is very healthy. Chemicals are expensive and
not good for humans, animals or the land. I like to help people
understand this.
Are there many other organic farming operations like yours
on Bali?
I’m not sure. Some big farms have many staff, high-tech
facilities, refrigerator trucks, permanent greenhouses, marketing
teams, steady buyers and money to pay workers. My farm is
not like that. I usually do the work myself with my family
and sometimes have just two or three workers. It’s difficult
to find serious workers because organic farming is more work.
Is your farm a cooperative or is it privately owned?
I own my land but I borrowed to buy it. I must pay it all
back with interest within four years. We all agreed not to
take any profit until then.
Do you also have outside advisors helping you?
I have friends from Australia and America who teach me about
using worms, marketing, contacting buyers and so forth. A
man from Slovenia read my blog, came here and brought seeds
to me.
Do you receive any governmental support?
No, but I’d like information about programs to help
small growers like me. I need a truck and a pump. It would
be great if I could get some support.
What do you grow on your farm?
I grow more than 45 kinds of vegetables, herbs and fruits.
I just started growing strawberries and already have fruit.
My friend said he can’t believe my strawberries are
growing so fast.
What growing methods do you use?
I cultivate seedlings or plant seeds directly and make my
own compost. I save seeds from my plants. My water is clean
spring water from underground aquifers so it has no chemicals.
I also concoct anti-insect sprays with local leaves. My uncle
tried a method I suggested and he got more beans than from
the chemical methods he usually uses.
Do you grow any unusual or difficult vegetables?
Rainbow carrots, Korina lettuce, summer squash, mini-eggplant
are unusual. Potatoes are difficult.
Do you grown ornamental plants?
Yes, sunflowers, coleus and orchids. Bamboo and other pretty
trees were already growing on my land so my farm is very beautiful.
What natural fertilizers or compost do you use?
I never use chemicals. I make my own “Gede J”
compost. I grow soybean plants to compost which add even more
nutrition to the soil.
Where do you sell your produce?
At the Ubud Organic Farmers Market on Saturday mornings and
at the new market in Sanur on Thursdays. I also sell a little
to several restaurants. I could sell more if I had my own
truck. Now I rent a truck.
Do you sell to mainstream outlets like Hardy’s, Makro
or Bintang?
Not yet. It’s difficult for them to change, I guess.
They want packaging in plastic and guaranteed deliveries every
day.
Do you think that organic farming is important for the general
environmental health of the island?
Yes, it’s extremely important for a healthy Bali because
the organic system is natural – like Bali used to be.
Chemicals make the land dead and people sick.
Do you have any future plans?
I want to become an expert on organic farming and teach as
many people as possible about what I know. Young people need
to learn more about how to grow healthy food.
Where can my readers learn more about your farm and your work?
I’m really happy when people visit my farm, see what
I do and share experiences. More information can be found
at: www.baliorganicproject.typepad.com/
For anyone interested in being considered for Siapa, please
contact: <pakbill2003@yahoo.com>
