Abstract
The future of Bali's agriculture is at a cross-roads. Tourism
and urbanisation are slowly but steadily dismembering
one of the cornerstones of Balinese culture, the subak and
its distinct ways of sharing water, cultivating rice and
beautifying the landscape. A combined eff ort is required
of farmers, the government and society to rethink and
reappraise the value of agriculture for the Balinese people
and the economy. Such a change of perception needs to
consider the question of adequate compensation for the
work farmers do in the fi elds, grooming 1000 year old
rice terraces, and planting, irrigating, and celebrating rice.
To place Bali in a global context, I examine Switzerland's
protective agricultural policies, rural development
planning and community-led initiatives which may off er
some unconventional but pragmatic solutions to turn the
tables for Bali's rice sector protecting the subak institution.
At last, I envisage a future for the subak and its members, an
active and proud farming community, not only famous rice
producers and fair water sharers but also recognised and
appraised for their services to society as cultural landscape
preservers.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 91-118 |
Journal | Journal of Bali Studies |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |