The Cultivation System in Java

    To overcome bankruptcy, the Dutch colonial government implemented The Cultivation System or cultuurstelsel (Dutch) in Java in the mid 19th century. With that system, the Dutch Government planned to monopolize the cultivation of export crops on Java. As a result, much of Java became Dutch plantations.

    The system obliged the villagers to devote 20% of their cultivation field to export crops that were decided by the Dutch. Among the crops were tobacco, sugar cane, rubber, and cocoa. Villagers then had to work on the Dutch plantations for 60 days in a year. To make sure people did not escape the work, the Dutch Government restricted human mobility. People were not allowed to travel freely without permission. Those who broke the rules were arrested and imprisoned.

    To handle and control the process, the Dutch set up a network of local middlemen, who profited greatly from the system. The Dutch gave a lot of bonuses if a residency gave more crops than before. It resulted in the local people suffering severe oppression.

    The Cultivation System was very successful. The Dutch earned a lot of money to run their colonial government. Between 1832 and 1852, 19% of total Dutch income was from their Javanese colony. The figure increased to 33% between 1860 and 1866.

    For the local people, the system was horrible. They suffered a lot because of their living standards. They worked hard to plant the crops but they got little money, because the Dutch government applied fixed pricing.

From several source (PR/100/GG)

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