Patchouli distillation itself contributes to deforestation, as farmers rely on firewood from surrounding forests to fuel the steam distillation process. In the absence of sustainable farming practices, the cycle of land clearance continues. Once patchouli has been harvested twice, the soil becomes depleted, prompting farmers to clear new patches of forest to continue cultivation.
Hardi, a 36-year-old farmer, works alongside his 60-year-old mother and brother on a one-hectare patchouli plantation. Before switching to patchouli, Hardi cultivated cloves, but declining market prices and long harvest periods forced him to adapt. He now harvests patchouli on steep hillsides, enduring a strenuous 30-minute uphill trek each day.
The income from patchouli is enough to support his family, but Hardi recognizes the limitations. “We don’t know where the oil goes after we sell it,” he admitted. Distillation owners buy the oil from farmers for around 1,400,000 rupiah ($86) per kilogram and sell it to exporters, mainly based in Java, before it reaches the global market.
Finding a Sustainable Path Forward
Authorities are seeking ways to balance economic opportunity with environmental conservation. Manggazali believes reforestation efforts are crucial to mitigating the risks associated with patchouli farming. “If patchouli has been planted, it should be replaced with productive trees, such as durian trees,” he suggested. “It also has economic value, but for the longer term.”
With the demand for patchouli oil showing no signs of slowing, Indonesia faces a difficult challenge: how to sustain a booming industry without sacrificing its forests and communities. As the land continues to be cleared and landslides loom, the future of patchouli farming—and those who depend on it—remains uncertain.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
