- Farming activities are now mostly occupied by young people after the decline in the tourism sector due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
- This man from a village is able to spare his time wisely between farming and occasionally escorting guests. Having been hit by the pandemic, he continued to work on his farming
This farmer figure is indeed very simple and eccentric. His body is strong and stocky. He speaks casually but meaningful. People who don’t know well will definitely think of him to be slightly arrogant or pretentious. His name is I Wayan Miasa.
This man has loved farming since he was a child because of being born in a farming family at Banjar Adeng, Tegaljadi, Marga, Tabanan, 52 years ago. He prefers to call himself a farmer or sometimes a bricklayer.
In rice fields near his house, he is growing flower for rituals such as water balsam and marigold which are much needed for Hindu ritual activities and there are also papaya, cassava and chili with great love for plants. All steps starting from the nursery are carried out on his own land in order to save production costs.
Apart from farming activities which he learns autodidactically, he also likes to share his knowledge and experience with other interested farmers. By this way, they can grow together and improve their farming skills.
Before the pandemic, he also took his time to escort German tourists when there is a job order from travel agency. This skill he acquired when attending high school. Though having background of English Department, due his love for German, he continues to learn and learn. Moreover, he already published a German-Balinese Dictionary.
As the saying goes, ‘love at first sight,’ he is actually a kind and spiritual man because he likes studying religion, Balinese culture as well as tourism. This has also led him to become part of a religious organization and has been a consultant for a tourism village because he has succeeded in pioneering and developing several Balinese-inspired village tourism packages.
Meanwhile, his way of serving as a tour guide has impressed many guests so that some tour leaders often take advantage of his services. As consequence, several times he received free invitations to visit Germany. Moreover, his friendship also continues until these days. When the pandemic broke out a few months ago, he also helped his friends in Germany to distribute aid in the form of basic necessities to residents around him.
While waiting for the recovery of Bali tourism, his activities amid Covid-19 pandemic are farming in accordance with his roots in agriculture. He has confidence that this field must be well maintained during the pandemic and afterwards because human beings will depend on agricultural products throughout their life. It would be great if tourism and farming go hand in hand so that they can mutually support.
