The assessment of Bang Metal’s farm reveals strong potential for intensive pepper cultivation. Currently, approximately 900 pepper vines have been newly planted, supported by dead trellises made from seruk and samak wood—an efficient choice for early-stage cultivation, with possible future transition to live trellises.
The pepper is intercropped with durian trees that are 9 to 10 years old, providing natural shade and potential additional income from fruit harvests. The entire pepper plot is surrounded by rubber trees, creating a natural buffer zone and contributing ecological value to the landscape.
At present, the farm lacks ground cover, but Bang Metal has expressed a plan to plant kencur (aromatic ginger) as a cover crop. This would serve both ecological functions and add economic value. The **short distance—only about 7 minutes from his home—**is an added advantage for daily maintenance and monitoring.
Overall, Bang Metal’s farm shows strong promise as a productive intercropping model combining pepper, durian, and rubber, with potential for expansion into a resilient, agroecological farming system.
