Abstract
The Dutch Colonial Economic Policy: Coffee Exploitation in Tapanuli Residency, 1849–1928
Highlights
In Indonesia, politics and economy are dominated by the state, so the implementation of economic policies affects people’s economic life
The coffee plantations of the local farmers and the private sector revived and increased, so coffee from Tapanuli brought to Natal and Sibolga became steadily available from year to year to be later shipped to Padang for the auction process
This research intended to trace the history of coffee production in Tapanuli from the perspective of Dutch colonial economic changes
Summary
The agricultural sector is the primary foundation of the economic activity of the people. Based on the research of Junghuhn and van der Tuuk, the Dutch colonial government set up coffee plantations in Mandailing and Angkola and applied the coffee forced-farming system to the local people. In addition to Padang Lawas, afdeeling Toba and Silindung were fully freed from coffee cultivation (Staatsblad van Nederlandsch-Indie 1892, No 249) This exemption was due to the area being a centre of rice production; the colonial government encouraged the local practice of the people in managing and developing rice fields. In addition to the taxation problem, the government could not control the free trade between the local people and outside merchants beyond the Dutch areas of Natal, Air Bangis and the east coast ports of Sumatra. The government coffee production decreased further, while the profit from illegal coffee trading flowed into the people’s pockets (Zed 1983, 173–174)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
