The DemoPlot

May 08, 2010

Spring Rains Developments is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with its Indonesian on-site partners One Heart Foundation, to develop a one hectare demonstration farm (DemoPlot) on the east side of the island of Lombok. 

Recently One Heart purchased a hectare of land for $12,000 Canadian on the understanding that Spring Rains would equip the plot.

What does equipping the DemoPlot entail?

The first phase will conclude in the very near future with the installation of two wells, water storage tanks (see picture), landscaping, and the installation of the drip-tape. A typical farm in the area is about a quarter of a hectare, which means the DemoPlot will approximate four farms and as such it be able to grow several different demonstration crops.

The second stage calls for the construction of a very modest building, which among other things will serve as a storefront to sell various products to the local farmers.   This stage will begin shortly after the land is converted and the first crop is planted. 

We are estimating Spring Rains' contribution to this endeavor to be in the range of $12,000 Canadian.

Why are we investing a DemoPlot?

It has been determined that our partners need to establish what the average profit actually is that can be realized from a piece of land with Drip-Irrigation (DI).  We know that three good crops per annum can be grown, but we still do not know what the return is that a farmer can achieve.  We are introducing a massive cultural change, which includes farmers taking on more debt than they have ever done before and as such there is reticence to take the chance.  Part of encouraging them will be the facts that will emerge, namely: “Here is the average you can expect to earn”. 

Over and above this the DemoPlot will be used to:

• Research and experiment with cures for the various pesticide & blight issues that have emerged with DI.  DI has introduced a new set of pestilence that is unique versus those prevalent in flood irrigation.
• Act as a training center for the unemployed who want to take up renting land and farming with DI. Sadly unemployment on Lombok runs at about 70%.
• Stock in its store the wares farmers need (shortages are an problem in the area), and it will sell them at a fair price (again an acute problem).