BANDUNG, (PRLM) Various smallholder plantation businesses in West Java have the potential to be developed into environmentally friendly products on a large scale, through the utilization of the large amount of cow dung from local breeders. In this way, it is hoped that the selling price of smallholders tea products from West Java will increase significantly, so as to be able to revive the business.
Chairman of the Indonesian Tea Farmers Association (Aptehindo), Nana Subarna, in Bandung, Friday (8/6/12) said that a lot of cow dung is still being wasted and in the end, it will only pollutes the river. This condition also occurs in areas around smallholders tea plantations.
“If the cow dung can be used by tea smallholders, it is hoped that it can become organic fertilizer or compost to re-fertilize the farm. In addition to increasing tea plant productivity, it is also hoped that the quality will be fresher and environmentally friendly, because this segment is known to have a large demand in the international market. ,” said Nana.
He said this potential emerged by looking at the conditions in which the selling price of tea from West Java had been overtaken by Kab. Jambi Kerinci for IDR 3,500/kg wet. Even though major national tea plantation is located West Java, it has not been “awakened from sleep” for a long time.
Source: Pikiran Rakyat
