Subak

The inspiration of traditional management in balinese farming development

Agricultural management is very complex thing. Not only does the modern farmer have to worry about superior seeds. He also has to think about what to do after the harvest. Subak is a religious social organization is almost as popular as bali itself.

In subak organization, the appearance of a sekaa Manyi Group (harvest gatherers group), for example, is a form of subak management. In subak organizations, the leader has a very important role. He is known as “Pekaseh” or “Kelihan Subak” (the organization highest leader) and must have good charisma to ensure the contiued existence of the organization. The election of the subak leader is done through a very strict election process, because honesty is the prime requirement to be a pekaseh (subak leader).

A lot of scientists admit that the subak plays a very important role in transferring farming technologies such a superior seeds, pesticides, tractors and modern irrigation systems which are accepted warmly by the farmers in the subak organization.

In bali, every farmer is a member of the subak. It means that the balinese farmer play an important role in farm development, they survive in their group through their “Awig-awig” (rules) that they made together. This agreement has survived because every decision they make is blessed by Hyang Widhi (God). In Hindu farmer’s social life the Karma law is a cycle in their chain of every day life.

In sharing water for instance, every member of the subak is given fair rights. In turn every member gets the same amoun. Here there is no discrimination whether between poor or rich, common or noble. There is only this fair-and-spread-evenly formula is noe in a bigger capasity, that is in conjunction with other subak organizations.

Problem will arise if there isn’t enough water to go around, this is that moment when the democratic way of sharing water is manifested. Everyone who is positioned at the ngulu (head). Maongin (middle) ,ngasep (lower course) take fair turns on avoid conflicts between the subak organization, even though it rarely happens.

The success of farming development through subak management has interested other, non-hindu farmers to apply it their everyday practices and activities, not only in planting, but also in managing their organization for everybody’s benefit. For the farmers are not only Hindus, but Christians and Muslim ,it has been shown that religion plays a big role but doesn’t religions, rather it increases their togetherness in the subak organization.