Stories from Deli

Java Bode 03-04-1869

Deli (East Coast of Sumatra)

We extract the following details about the state of this kingdom from a report by the Resident of Riouw from January of this year.

The current Sultan of Deli is a wise ruler, aware of the superior quality of European systems of governance and administration. He is making efforts to understand these systems so that he can apply them in his own kingdom. As a result, Deli has made significant progress over the past four years.

The agricultural enterprises run by Europeans have not only introduced a substantial amount of money into the economy, but their success has also convinced the local population of the benefits of diligent and knowledgeable farming. Consequently, the local population has begun planting coconut and nutmeg trees extensively, leading to expectations of a significant export of these products in a few years. The improvement in the population’s welfare is visibly reflected in their clothing, household goods, and diet. Rice, which had to be imported just a few years ago, is now abundant and affordable, becoming a staple food as the population can cultivate their fields without disruption.

The Bataks are increasingly obtaining their necessities from Deli, and one frequently sees groups of them coming down from the highlands. The only decline compared to the past is in the export of pepper. This is due to the previous state of unrest in the region, which led to the neglect of old plantations and the failure to replace dead vines with new ones. However, a significant number of young vines have been planted recently, and a bountiful pepper harvest is expected in two or three years.

The European entrepreneurs focus on tobacco, nutmeg, and coconut cultivation. There is also a factory for producing fine oils, opportunities to ship products to Penang, and even talks of establishing a steamboat service between Penang and Deli and of bringing a doctor to the area. The entrepreneurs are very satisfied with their results; their tobacco fetches good prices in the Netherlands, and ample capital is being invested in expanding their plantations. The 1868 harvest amounted to approximately 157,000 Amsterdam pounds for the European market, with an additional 37,500 Amsterdam pounds exported for the local market.

The entrepreneurs employ foreign laborers, such as Chinese, Siamese, Klings, and Javanese workers. They typically enter into agreements with these laborers for the cultivation of a certain number of tobacco plants, with advances provided. According to one entrepreneur, the planters who succeeded on his fields earned an average of $45 from their tobacco, with the two highest earners making $107 and $89 respectively, and the lowest earning $20 and $18. The Chinese and other workers or planters are able to save significant sums of money each year.

The largest agricultural enterprise in Deli is run by Dutch people with Dutch capital, while the other enterprises belong to European foreigners. It would be desirable for more Dutch people to take advantage of the favorable conditions in Deli. The Sultan of Deli is very pleased with the results achieved by the settlement of European agricultural entrepreneurs in his kingdom. The rulers of Langkat and Serdang would also like to see such entrepreneurs settle in their kingdoms. (Java Courant)