BANYUWANGI – DULU, residents in Pakistaji Village, District of Kabat, Banyuwangi Regency, many grow tobacco. Soil conditions in Pakistaji agricultural land are suitable for tobacco cultivation.
At that time, residents got some kind of contract with one of the leading tobacco companies in East Java. Tembakau ‘Made in Pakistaji’ ini tersohor karena semua hasil panen petani langsung dibawa ke pabrik.
However, whether due to decreased quality or other reasons, in the early 2000s, the tobacco company no longer accepts tobacco from Pakistaji farmers. Impact of all this, tobacco farming activities reduced drastically.
“Dulu hampir semua petani di daerah Pakistaji tanam tembakau,Mustain explained, Head of Pakistaji Village, District of Kabat.
Now, after the tobacco company stopped accepting Pakistaji tobacco, the activity of planting tobacco in this village is almost extinct.
At the moment, Mustain explained, the land usually planted with tobacco was left intact. Human resources who manage and cultivate land for tobacco also still exist. According to him, his party needs support from all parties in the form of market availability that is ready to accommodate farmers' crops.
“Semua masih ada. But if the cigarette factory doesn't accept it, it's a hassle," he said.
even though, Mustain remembers, it was when the tobacco season arrived, all residents ranging from men and women are busy involved in the process of harvesting and post-harvest processing.
“Yes, if harvest all busy," he remembers.
Abdul Halim, 63, residents of Dusun Krajan, Pakistaji Village, is one of the farmers who ever planted tobacco. According to him, first when the tobacco season arrived, mostly grow tobacco. The type of tobacco grown is Semarang ginger. The profit earned is quite good.
According to him, for an area of one hectare, Tobacco that is slashed by traders can sell for up to Rp 50 million. If you want more profit, farmers will choose to handle the post-harvest process themselves from chopping to ready-to-sell.
“Saya tidak mau ribet. Slashed (for sale) just. Actually, if you chop it yourself, you get more," he concluded.
