Hotel Review

SAIFANA ORGANIC FARM

Learning how to live off the land in North Lombok

Planning yet another predictable weekend chilling by the beach? We know leisure time is precious, so why not go for a refreshing change of scenery. As the rainy season kicks in, now is just the perfect time to head up to Bayan and put those green fingers to work. For anyone interested in eco-tourism, sustainable living and specifically, organic food, then a trip to Saifana Organic Farm should be on your next weekend trip itinerary. This is a community-based space where organic produce is grown in permaculture gardens and serves as a catalyst for local community engagement in the benefits of organic agriculture. Spend an enlightening night or two here and see it in action.

You’ll feel a part of it too, staying on the farm in one of the wooden bungalows. They have the feel of a real rustic log cabin, featuring dark wood interiors and a traditional veranda to enjoy the verdant scenery. It represents a cosy countryside haven with plenty of character. There are five wooden bungalows nestling among trees in the gardens which are part of the integrated farm system, so you’ll feel very much part of the productive atmosphere at Saifana.

The stilt bungalows were built using local techniques, which not only exudes an essence of rural Lombok, but are also robust enough to withstand earthquakes. They are also kind to Mother Nature too. Each one has been fitted with solar panels. Just like local houses, each bungalow comes with a private Beruga, for a shady spot to relax, get a massage or gaze at the evening sunset.

There is daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at Saifana, and as a community-based organic farm, food is unsurprisingly the key focus. This is the true essence of the farm to table concept, all carried out from start to finish on-site. It is

food without any preservatives, artificial food colouring, or processed foods. All farm meals come from recipes from women in the village, which have been passed down through the generations.

Meals are convivial affairs and the restaurant can be rented for special community or social events. As well as cultivating organic produce such as Pomelo, mushrooms, turmeric and more, to create the wholesome meals at Saifana, it makes its own brand organic peanut butter, cashew butter, roasted cashews and herbal teas for sale, which are also available through its online shop.

Saifana takes its message out into the community to help villagers live more meaningfully with nature and share the secrets of sustainable living. It has kick-started a program of community gardens to introduce organic methods to local communities. The farm acts as a platform to showcase local arts, handicrafts and agriculture within the Bayan area. The farm is also a gateway for exploring North Lombok’s community tourism where guests can experience the wellknown waterfalls Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile, Mount Rinjani soft trekking, as well as little known beaches on the north coast.

Even if you don’t stay overnight, a day-long visit Saifana Organic Farm is an enlightening and highly rewarding experience highlighting the spirit of community collaboration, as well as the chance to sample tasty and wholesome produce lovingly cultivated on site.

Jl. Raya Bayan, Loloan, Bayan, North Lombok 83354 +62 811 3966 689 hello@saifanaorganicfarm.com www.saifanaorganicfarm.com saifanaorganicfarm saifanaorganicfarm