North Putussibau is a sub-district in Kapuas Hulu Regency which plays an important role as a supplier of kratom that is traded internationally. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a group of woody plants belonging to the coffee family, and is widespread in Southeast Asia (USDA, 2013).
The people of North Putussibau Subdistrict are classified as traditional communities, who maintain the traditions of their ancestors and prevailing customs. Traditional societies have characteristics to maintain behavioral procedures both in terms of the rules of human relations (interaction), as well as with the surrounding environment which prioritizes harmony, and high socio-cultural and religious adaptation with the natural mechanisms around them.
Changes in the livelihoods of the farming community from North Putussibau to become kratom farmers and traders have had a major impact on the increase in the value of the standard of living, culture, and patterns of community interaction.
By continuing to prioritize the traditions of their ancestors, now kratom farmers in Putussibau District have at least two events in harvesting kratom which is the main livelihood of the population.
- The technique of pulling the kratom tree trunk
With this technique, farmers use a log which is shaped like a hook at the end, at least two meters long. This wood is used to hook the kratom tree trunks, so that the leaves are easy to pick. This is considered easy because usually only one farmer is enough to harvest one kratom tree easily and quickly.
- Kratom tree climbing techniques
At first, the kratom plant was a wild plant that grew in the Kapuas Hulu plain, this of course made many kratom plants aged for decades in the forest. Usually, to harvest a tree that is already tall, of course, you cannot use a hook like the one above. Extra expertise is required to climb this kratom tree, because it is not uncommon to find tree trunks that are already mossy or starting to become brittle. Because the process is quite risky, farmers generally cut the towering kratom trees, it is hoped that more new shoots will grow, and of course it is easier for the harvesting process.
Those are the two main events held by kratom farmers in Putussibau sub-district. Extra time and attention are needed to produce quality kratom trees that can produce kratom with maximum benefits.
