The Paradox of Green Gold: Why Temanggung's Tobacco Farmers Persevere Amidst Hardship

A single cigarette represents the end of a long and complex journey, one that generates immense wealth for corporations and contributes trillions of rupiah to state revenues through excise taxes. In 2022 alone, this contribution reached a staggering 198 trillion rupiah. Yet, at the very beginning of this supply chain, a stark paradox exists. The farmers who cultivate this "green gold," particularly in regions like Temanggung, Central Java, often find themselves struggling, with their economic well-being far from guaranteed.

A recent webinar discussion, featuring researcher Tari who studied the lives of these farmers, delved into this paradox. The central question: if tobacco farming is so precarious, why do they continue? The answer, it turns out, is woven from a complex tapestry of history, folklore, and a definition of "welfare" that transcends mere economics.

Stream the full Webinar here: YouTube

The Economic Reality: An Unstable Harvest

For the tobacco farmers of Temanggung—a region so famous for its crop it's dubbed "Tobacco City"—the financial returns are anything but stable. Their livelihoods are often at the mercy of factors beyond their control. They face the risk of ruin from bad weather, possess little to no bargaining power against large factories that dictate prices, and are frequently caught in cycles of debt to middlemen, or tengkula.

The research revealed that even farmers with direct relationships to factories might only earn an average of Rp 2.5 million per month, a figure that is highly volatile. For the majority without such connections, the income is even less. This economic precarity is reflected in village data, which shows that a majority of farmers are classified as economically "less prosperous". Interestingly, other more stable and less complicated crops like chili, shallots, and corn could be grown, yet farmers remain loyal to tobacco.

A Crop Entwined with Culture and Belief

The farmers' persistence is deeply rooted in socio-cultural and historical factors. The introduction of tobacco to the region dates back to the colonial era, establishing a system of cultivation and trade that has endured for centuries.

This history is reinforced by a rich local folklore that elevates tobacco from a simple commodity to a sacred plant. It is referred to as emas hijau (green gold) and tanaman parawali (a plant of the saints). A central belief is in the pulung, a form of celestial luck or boon, which is thought to descend upon a field to grant a bountiful harvest of the highest grade tobacco, srintil. These narratives give the crop a value that cannot be measured in rupiah alone.

This reverence is expressed through a series of elaborate rituals performed throughout the cultivation process, from pre-planting to post-harvest. These traditions, which include pilgrimages to the tomb of a local figure, Ki Ageng Makukuhan, who is mythologized as the one who introduced tobacco, reinforce the plant's sacred status in the community.

Redefining "Welfare": Beyond the Balance Sheet

The research found that the farmers' concept of well-being is not solely defined by their bank accounts. They derive a profound, subjective sense of prosperity from other sources:

• Harmony and Spirituality: The rituals and deep respect for the tobacco plant foster a sense of harmony with nature and the spiritual world. This connection itself is a form of wealth.

• Social Cohesion: The farming process is a communal affair. From planting to harvest, villagers engage in gotong-royong (mutual help), strengthening social bonds. This solidarity ensures that no one is left to labor alone and reinforces the fabric of the community.

• Environmental Stewardship: The farmers maintain a philosophical respect for the environment, carefully managing the balance between their fields and the surrounding ecosystem, such as protecting local water sources and not encroaching on forest land.

A Critical View: Resilience or False Consciousness?

While this cultural resilience is powerful, the discussion also raised a critical question: could these deeply held beliefs be a form of "false consciousness"? It was suggested that the narratives and rituals, while providing comfort and community, might also serve to perpetuate an exploitative system.

This narrative of hope, luck, and spiritual blessing may inadvertently make farmers more accepting of their economically marginalized position, benefiting the larger, more powerful players in the tobacco industry. The discussion even touched on the possibility that these myths were historically constructed by colonial and local elite powers to maintain control over the region's resources.

The Path Forward

The story of Temanggung's tobacco farmers is a poignant reminder that human behavior is rarely driven by economics alone. Their unwavering commitment is a product of a historical system, a rich cultural narrative, and a holistic sense of well-being.

However, this cultural attachment exists within a precarious economic structure. While farmer associations exist, their power is often diluted by complex internal politics and competing interests. For any meaningful change to occur, policymakers must look beyond simple economic incentives. Future policies must be culturally aware while simultaneously striving to empower farmers, shorten the long and often exploitative supply chain, and provide them with genuine leverage in the market they so crucially support. It is a challenge that requires us to see not just the crop, but the complex human story behind every leaf.