THE INITIATIVE
Begawan began its regenerative farming initiative on half a hectare in Bayad Village in 2022. Over time, several farmers joined the programme and cultivated Mansur Heritage Rice using 100% chemical-free practices. Begawan Biji Farm supported farmers through training, materials, and facilities, while providing a stable income by purchasing each harvest at premium prices.
Soil restoration
Revived the ecosystem through natural practices
Higher incomes
Created incentives for farmers to continue farming
Market linkage
Opened access to higher paying markets for rice
Community education
Raised awareness for the importance of agriculture
OUR APPROACH
Building Begawan Giri farm in Bayad, Bali
The farm at Begawan Biji expanded organically, and a number of local farmers joined the programme with the land producing naturally grown Mansur Heritage Rice, using no chemical pesticides or fertilisers. Begawan implemented a range of regenerative solutions that helped restore the ecosystem in Bayad Village. Begawan worked with Prof. Stephen Lansing, and Pak Wayan Alit Artha Wiguna from the Balai Besar Penerapan Modernisasi Pertanian (BRMP) Bali (Ministry of Agriculture) to implement the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and intermittent flooding, which decreases the amount of water needed for the rice growing process and reduces methane. The results of the data recorded was presented at COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
OUR IMPACT
Begawan’s farming initiative created a market for Mansur Rice, a heritage grain from Bali that had almost become extinct. The farmers in the program all remark on the return of wildlife to their fields, and some have been able to double their income while restoring the ecosystem and retaining ownership of their land. Begawan’s farm, now under Begawan Biji restaurant, is a model for visitors and the community to learn about regenerative agriculture.
Today Mansur Heritage Rice is growing on several of the rice fields surrounding Begawan Biji, using regenerative farming practices. Local Begawan Biji farm staff tend the rice fields, preparing the fields, planting the seedlings and ensuring that a maximum crop is harvested.
Download our detailed description of the Subak Water Filter, constructed in 2023 to supply clean, pesticide-free filtered water to the rice fields which produce Mansur Heritage Rice, and our poster Farming Cycle of Mansur Heritage Rice in in Google Drive.
Link For a variety of activities undertaken during the years that Begawan has been active, see https://www.youtube.com/@begawanbali
Begawan Biji welcomes visitors and groups on day tours to learn about the solutions that were developed by Begawan, and how regenerative farming has transformed the land.
GET INVOLVED
Join us in our work to support Bali’s rice farmers and protect the environment.
Begawan provides Mansur Heritage Rice directly harvested by local farmers in our village to hotels, resorts, and restaurants in Bali, as well as to individual buyers. Contact us or visit our farm on a tour to see exactly how Begawan’s rice is grown.
Order Mansur rice
Buy naturally grown Mansur Heritage Rice directly harvested by local farmers in Bayad.
Book a tour
Sign up for a half-day conservation and farming tour with lunch at Begawan Biji.
