Development of Kaja-Kelod Agro-Tourism on an Eco-Friendly Base in Buleleng Regency

Abstract

Bali often ought to face difficult choices, whether developing tourism at the expense of agriculture and the environment or maintaining agriculture and the environment on the limited tourism development. To the goals of SDGs 2030, development must always be oriented towards a balance between economic development, social improvement, and environmental preservation, the best resolution is rather developing the tourism sector without degrading agriculture and the environment. One of these efforts is the kaja-kelod agro-tourism path in the Buleleng Regency. The concept was an integrating route of agricultural tourism destinations with cultivation characteristics in mountain areas (kaja), continuing cultivation in moderate plains, and continuing cultivation in lowlands, until ending in coastal and marine cultivation areas (kelod). The aims of this study: (1) to map the agricultural potential of the farming community in each kaja-kelod agro-tourism destination; (2) to analyze biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics to support farming enhancement in each destination; and (3) to formulate the development model for kaja-kelod agro-tourism. The methods were used surveys and FGD. Tabulation of data, descriptive statistical analysis, and narration were used in generating the findings. Kaja-kelod agro-tourism included four destinations, those were Pancasari village for the object of eco-friendly cultivation of strawberries and upland vegetables, and ecotourism Buyan & Tamblingan Lake; Sawan-Sudaji villages for the object of Organic-based Balinese rice farming, Tropical fruits, Metaphysical agriculture, and Traditional music; the object of organic Black Wine agribusiness in the Tangguwisia village; and Gerokgak district for the object of integrated marine culture tourism, grouper-snapper-milkfish hatcheries and rearing fishes in sea cages. Applied Kaja-Kelod agro-tourism is for good association among agricultural activities, environmental concerns, and human interests through practical cultivation and ranching as well as Subak, Desa Adat, and coastal communities involvement. Organic resources amalgamation (natural or artificial) should be applied in the cultivation, due to enriching biodiversity and eco-friendly agriculture. Implementation to achieve rationality in utilizing land, coastal, and marine resources should be harmonious with the values in tradition, religion, aspiration, and culture of the local communities. The setting up of kaja-kelod agro-tourism management should follow community-based tourism.