Who would have thought that tea, that is always linked to the highlands on the island of Java. Now it can be developed in the lowlands, such as in Sintang District, West Kalimantan. This is evidenced by the success of the tea demonstration plot in Sepulut Village, Sepauk District. Its tea shoots is then produced into Borneo Tea from Sintang. The Regent of Sintang, Jarot Winarno said, the development of tea in Sintang is inseparable from the fact that land for tea plantations in West Java is decreasing. So far, tea is said to only grow in high-altitude plantation, foggy and cold areas.
“Apparently, after we tried planting in Sintang, tea can be grown in the lowlands. It can grow and classified as good product in less time. Even tea plants in Sepulut can be harvested at the age of 3,” said Jarot, Sunday (26/1).
Therefore, Jarot encoouraged the people of Sintang to plant tea. Remember, we cannot always rely on an economy that exploits natural resources, rubber, oil palm and pepper. “Then, why don’t we develop a more creative economy in various forms? The results are also not inferior, such as tea, coffee, cocoa, sengkubak leaves, kratom and other commodities. So, we are more creative,” he said.
He said the tea developed in Sintang was indeed based on farmer groups. If it is developed en masse, it is not impossible that Sintang will become a tea-producing area. “Right now, we are planting. Some of them have already harvested. Some made demonstration plots and expanded them. God willing, hopefully Sintang will be known as a tea producer in Indonesia. Don’t worry about the buyers. There are many buyers. It will definitely be bought,” he said.
Chairperson of the Solidaridad Network Indonesia Foundation, Delima Azahari Gunawan, thanked the Sintang Regent and all those who had supported him. So that tea can be planted and started to be promoted in Sintang Regency. “We all know, tea is usually produced in Java and Sumatra. And the largest location of tea plantations is in West Java but it is starting to decline. That’s why we have an idea, tea in West Java will move to West Kalimantan. Hopefully this is not the first and only in Sintang. But it can be developed throughout West Kalimantan,” he hoped.
Source: https://kumparan.com/hipontianak/teh-borneo-teh-khas-sintang-dari-dataran-rendah-1siU2aT0k4R
