Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Bali, Indonesia has recently debuted Dukuh Asri, a 17-hectare regenerative centre for organic farming, cultural exchange and hands-on learning. Located just150 metres from the resort, Dukuh Asri champions Buahan’s foraging-based culinary philosophy—showcasing traditional agriculture, rare wild plants and their uses, local palm sap ‘tuak’ wine production, and “the rhythms of Balinese community life.”
Dukuh Asri will supply over 2,000 kg of organic produce annually to Buahan’s kitchens—including fruits, vegetables, free-range poultry and eggs—dramatically reducing dependence on third-party suppliers. This transition also significantly reduces the resort’s supply-chain carbon footprint, with annual emissions expected to drop to just 3.9 kg CO2e—an 8.5% reduction in overall food-mile impact.
What Guests Can Expect
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The resort will also be utilizing the new regenerative centre for guest-facing experiences, as well. Travelers can partake in offerings such as:
- Jungle Cooking: A five-hour culinary adventure that begins with foraging through farm and forest for wild herbs, organic vegetables, eggs, and freshwater fish. Guests then cook their harvest over wood fire using traditional tools and techniques, culminating in a communal jungle lunch.
- Megibung Pop-Up Lunch: This three- to four-hour experience blends a guided foraging walk with a wood-fired cooking demonstration and ends in a Megibung (shared platter) feast, accompanied by a traditional dance performance.
- Sawah Picnic: This two-hour encounter combines a gentle farm trek, wild-plant discovery, and a laid-back picnic amongst the paddies.
A Farmer, a Vision and a Regenerative Future
The launch of Dukuh Asri is made possible through a partnership with Ketut Sunarka, “a revered local farmer, respected community leader, and sustainability advocate.”
“Agriculture is never just about crops; it is the living heartbeat of our culture,” said Sunarka. “The vision for Dukuh Asri is to cultivate a place where guests and locals can reconnect with nature, heritage and regenerative practices—transforming not only what’s on the plate, but the way we think about food, land, and community itself.”
Ketut holds a master’s degree in Dryland Agriculture from Udayana University and has led the Subak system in Payangan for over a decade. His efforts to transition farming communities toward organic and environmentally responsible practices span from Bali to Lombok, where he served as a Biogas Ambassador, helping families convert livestock waste into clean energy.
Dukuh Asri forms the cornerstone of Buahan’s long-term Regenerative Roadmap—aligned with Banyan Group’s commitment to deepening support for local communities.
