FROM MICRO TO GLOBAL LEVELS: LESSON FROM PHILOSOPHY OF SUBAK

Abstract

Presently, agricultural sector has still played a significant  role in the economic development within developing countries, including Indonesia. It has undergone a transformation to agribusiness system consisting of commercial and modern agriculture. In Bali, the growth of economic development as a result of tourism growth has given rise to several problems in subak. The objectives of this study are to describe the subak system pertaining to its roles to the economic development, and to describe transfer of local wisdom of subak to global system for achieving the sustainable development goals.

At the micro scale, subak as a system should be regarded as a model to support economic growth within rural and urban areas. It might not be only seen as an organization having irrigation and rice farming activities but should be understood its multi-functions. Rice farming activities has contributed to provide rice production at the rural, district and provincial levels which is very important to the food security program achievement.

Tri hita karana which is a local philosophy of subak has universal values, which can be transferred at the national and global levels. As a local wisdom, the values of tri hita karana are in common with the principles of sustainable development which pay attention to economic, socio-cultural, and environmental aspects. Therefore, subak as one of the social capitals can also be an important and valuable lesson to be developed and adapted to various regions, including in other countries. The government of Indonesia should consider Tri hita karana as a platform in discussing various global issues, such as climate change management and poverty.