17/11/2017
Great story from West Bali!
Hope our young generation of Bali can understand this!
"As the leader of Pendem village and as a member of the subak community, I learned a lot about the subak* system. I realized how important it is to keep the environment in balance.
A long time ago, there were many rice fields. We lived together as a community in harmony. Now, many of these rice fields have disappeared. I felt I needed to say something to my community, maybe even to start a movement to inspire the community. I wanted them to care about their rice fields, to engage in organic agriculture and to keep the Tri Kita Karana philosophy in mind. Tri Hita Karana is partly about having a relationship with nature and deeply understanding how nature works. When I'm planting seeds on my land, I keep this philosophy in mind. I plant just one seed in one spot. Other farmers tell me that I should plant three seeds in one spot because, in their eyes, one seed is not enough.
But, at the time of harvest, I somehow manage to have a yield of 50% more than them. Other farmers see my results and ask me 'How is that even possible?'. I tell them, 'Tri Hita Karana is so important. Learning to farm in harmony with nature gives us a bigger harvest.'
Two years later, I have built a community of farmers who are actively participating in the subak system and following the Tri Hita Karana just as our ancestors once did. We now have bigger harvests and our village life is more prosperous."
- Wayan Diandra, Pendem Village Community Leader
*A subak is a community of farmers who work together to share water using a system of water canals to ensure that all members of the community can successfully grow and harvest rice."
For more information, visit our website https://www.fivepillarfoundation.com/
