PRESS RELEASE

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TEAM OF THE 10TH WORLD WATER FORUM

NO.42/SP/TKM-WORLDWATERFORUM2024/05/2024

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Subak: Fair Water Distribution System on Island of Gods

The stunning natural scenery is one of the tourist attractions offered by the Island of Gods, apart from its rich traditions and culture. It is not uncommon that the beautiful natural views are there owing to the long-preserved observation of traditions and culture.

One of the attractions that has caught the world's attention is the view of the terraced rice fields in the highlands of Bali, one of which is the terraced land covering an area of around 300 hectares in Jatiluwih, Tabanan Regency, where expanses of paddy fields filled with rice line the road.

The rice fields in this area have been maintained for hundreds of years and thrive due to the help of a fair irrigation system for all farmers. The communal water system is managed together through their organization, known as 'subak'.

Jatiluwih Subak is an example of a typical rice field irrigation system on the Island of Gods. For hundreds of years, they have used ditches as water reservoirs that will continue to flow into their rice fields.

The manager of the Jatiluwih Subak tourist attraction, John K Purna, who is also involved in agriculture, explained that farmers in the area have been gathering in groups for generations.

No information is available on what year did the ancestors of Jatiluwih people start to use the Subak irrigation system, because as long as the locals know, they have always been joining the farmer groups and received water flow from the ditch.

Currently, farmer groups are divided into seven tempekans led by traditional leaders called Pekaseh. On average, one group consists of 35 farmers, so the total number of farmers is 254 people.

This agricultural culture is sustainable because it runs based on justice. It is evident in the equal distribution of water to all members.

The community also survives with a system of cooperation. They maintain the ditches and care for the subak so that it is always clean and able to provide water to their rice fields.

“Our ancestors used to know where the water sources were. So, a ditch was made from up there, bringing water to the rice fields. The amount of water provided will be adjusted to the area needed to be covered. This is a tradition that we always maintain," said John.

At some points in the Jatiluwih Subak area, there are tembuku or water distribution points. From there, the water will enter a cemented ditch and then flow from the top rice field downstream without the help of any machines.

"In general, rice fields outside Bali utilize their own watering systems. Some manually pump the water from a lower area, but this is not allowed here. All water sources are flowing, you cannot deliberately take other people's water," he said.

Residents believe that this cultural heritage, which is recognized by UNESCO, continues to exist because of the continued implementation of Tri Hita Karana. They maintain balance between the relationship of not only among humans but also human with nature and with God.

Observing this value, all elements work to care for the paddy fields that lie at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level.

Batukaru Forest Water Source

The water irrigating Jatiluwih Subak every day comes from the Batukaru Forest. The dense vegetation in the forest stores water during the rainy season and releases it during the dry season.

The forest's wealth is then utilized. The water coming from the forest flows down the cliffs and is directed to embankments, and from there, the water flows into the rice fields.

Until now, the community has never experienced problems in meeting its water needs. Apart from being accommodated in an embankment, Tabanan has several springs. Moreover, water distribution is carried out based on justice and cooperation, so there is no shortage.

Jatiluwih's subak agricultural culture is about its unique irrigation system and its solidarity in farming.

In other regions, every rice field owner has the right to work according to their own planting time. It is not the case here. Local farmers always plant and harvest simultaneously. In fact, during rainy season, all farmers must plant red rice.

During the planting season in December, all farmers have a week to plant. They will tend their fields until May, when the rice starts to turn yellow, and the harvest begins in June.

Jatiluwih, typical with red rice, produces double the number of products compared with ordinary rice. Farmers can produce 5—6 tons of red rice per hectare in one harvest. The height of rice plants that produce red rice is around two meters, while ordinary rice is only one meter.

The area, which is currently one of the tourist attractions on the Island of Gods, is continuing to be developed to remain sustainable by, among others, encouraging the implementation of organic farming.

Currently, only five percent of hundreds of local farmers are implementing organic farming. This low percentage is due to the expensive initial capital for organic agriculture.

However, the market for organic rice is wide open; in fact, the selling price difference reaches Rp10,000 per kilogram compared to regular rice.

If Jatiluwih can make a breakthrough in this field, they can become more renowned for this unique characteristic in addition to their irrigation system.

The richness of Jatiluwih Subak has resulted in the selection of Jatiluwih as one of the destinations for the 10^th World Water Forum (WWF) delegation field trip. The Forum itself is scheduled to be held from 18 to 25 May 2024.

Introducing Jatiluwih Subak

The Jatiluwih Subak Tourist Destination Area (DTW) manager is preparing activities for delegates who will later visit the terraced rice fields there.

The delegates, especially heads of state, are scheduled to attend on Friday, 24 May  2024. The committee will serve Jatiluwih Tabanan's specialty red rice tea. They will also present a Metangi Dance performance and a display of daily agricultural activities.

A number of guides are prepared to explain the local agricultural culture, especially how water is managed in Subak for mutual prosperity.

Along the stretch of terraced rice fields is a jogging track that tourists always use to get a closer look at the subak. However, during the delegation's visit this time, the management estimated that the delegates may not enter the track.

On average, 1,000 tourists visit the DTW per day to explore the rice fields for one or two hours. Around 85 percent of them are foreign tourists, especially Europeans.

Exploration of the Jatiluwih Subak tourist market has recently widened with the influx of tourists from India, Vietnam, and Thailand.

By introducing Jatiluwih Subak to representatives of countries worldwide, apart from demonstrating farming culture, we can also share knowledge about the equitable use of water. This moment is hoped also to trigger more tourists to come to the Island of the Gods. (Slamet Hadi/TR/Elvira Inda Sari/EL/PR)

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For further information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320)

10^TH World Water Forum PCO - Dede Ariwibowo (08111830020)

Get more information at https://infopublik.id/kategori/world-water-forum and https://s.id/worldwaterforumpedia