A hectare of local rubber plantation produces no less than 5-7 kilograms each morning. e price of rubber at the collector level then was around Rp 10,000/kilogram.
If sold directly to factories, it could be even higher. I told them, imagine if one owned just two hectares of superior rubber gardens tapped each day. Such a garden can produce on average 25 kilogram per hectare every morning.
“So which would you choose, dear friends, to be a boss or a coolie?”
“Bosssss!” they shouted in unison.
***
There are two main camps in Loncek: those who are for and against oil palm plantations. Among those who are against oil palm is Leonardus, the leader of Orang Muda Katolik (Catholic Youth) in Loncek. He also heads Kelompok Tani Muda Palambon Pucuk Baguas (KTM PPB – Young Farmers Group of Palambon Pucuk Baguas).
Leo, how he is called, once told me that he and several other young people rallied against an oil palm company and were nearly punished by the local tribal chief.