Who We Are

We are a group of young changemakers from across Indonesia, driven by the vision of protecting the land, connecting mission-aligned individuals, and uplifting the livelihoods of farmers.

In Old Javanese (Kawi) and Balinese, TANA means earth, soil, or territory, while HITA is often associated with happiness, harmony, and collective wellbeing. Tana Hita Collective embodies a kinship with the earth uniting people to regenerate ecosystems and build resilient communities.

Why Are We Doing This

Agriculture in Bali is predominantly sustained by smallholder farmers, yet many struggle to see meaningful economic improvements from their work. Weather uncertainties, high input costs, soil degradation, water scarcity, pest attacks, and shrinking profits drive despair and push farmers to gradually leave the sector. With rapid property development, they often feel pressured to sell their land when offered quick money, leaving them with few better choices.

Over the past decade, Bali has lost around 20% of its farmland and 15% of its non-farmland green areas to conversion into buildings. Around 2,000 hectares of rice fields in Bali disappear each year due to massive development equivalent to about 5.5 hectares per day. At the same time, the younger generation is increasingly drawn to tourism jobs in hotels and restaurants, leaving agriculture behind. Today, 70.5% of farmers are over the age of 45, raising concerns about the regeneration of the farming workforce. If these trends continue, Bali faces mounting risks of environmental degradation, food insecurity, and weakened rural livelihoods.

Farmers are also becoming more disconnected from their land. Conventional practices relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides degrade the soil and reduce long-term productivity, while agricultural markets remain controlled by middlemen. Limited access to education and networks further traps farmers in cycles of vulnerability and disempowerment.

In response, we are working together to create meaningful change that restores harmony between nature, people, and livelihoods. Tana Hita Collective brings together smallholder farmers, activists, researchers, and young changemakers committed to sustainability and collaboration. Guided by permaculture principles and integrated communal systems, we protect the land, promote regenerative agriculture, and drive reforestation creating lasting environmental, economic, and social impact.