Reading about Oud Yusuf and in the case of Adam's Mai Bo Rai's truly natural, mixed use organic plantations (gutted that I missed buying some, Adam, gutted!) was poetry and brought hope for the future of Oud.
I know that in some countries, Thailand for sure, that there are restrictions on farangs owning land itself however according to thaiguru there are valid ways around these restrictions, so allow me to make a proposal here.
A Kickstarter.
Buying or renting previously prime growing areas on private / goverment land that have been despoiled by careless, wanton destruction that were deforestrated by the lost and the damned. Because of this, it might be possible to get the best potential 'terroir' for the smallest outlay. Some money might have to be used for soil regeneration, but might that not be worth it?
Now, the second part of my idea... It's been disturbing to read of Taha's accounts of his hunters being robbed and similar accounts, after the trees are planted and allowed to mature for decades upon decades before resination over further decades, perhaps helped along by vintage Vietnam war era bullets, what is to prevent a gang of thieves from just coming along and levelling our precious Aquilaria?
Ecotourism.
Luxe or Semi-Luxe treehouses or glamping. All solar powered, all mod cons.
Why pay for security when You, I, Bhanny, Shabby, Thomas S, all you lovely Oud lovers and also just unrelated green friendly paying guests who are relaxing amongst some of the semi-wild plantations drinking profitable kyara teas and coffee? One sniff of a chainsaw and we get on the phone to the local police or army who's local big cheeses have been invited to stay as guests from time to time for free, of course and they bring uniforms with very big guns and handcuffs on the fly. Soon this would discourage the very naughty boys.
Not just by and for you artisans but also for we Oudlovers. Our more modest contribution would get us, for example, reduced prices (had to say that being Scottish!) or guaranteed quantities availble for purchase per year as well as visits.
Thoughts, everyone?
I know that in some countries, Thailand for sure, that there are restrictions on farangs owning land itself however according to thaiguru there are valid ways around these restrictions, so allow me to make a proposal here.
A Kickstarter.
Buying or renting previously prime growing areas on private / goverment land that have been despoiled by careless, wanton destruction that were deforestrated by the lost and the damned. Because of this, it might be possible to get the best potential 'terroir' for the smallest outlay. Some money might have to be used for soil regeneration, but might that not be worth it?
Now, the second part of my idea... It's been disturbing to read of Taha's accounts of his hunters being robbed and similar accounts, after the trees are planted and allowed to mature for decades upon decades before resination over further decades, perhaps helped along by vintage Vietnam war era bullets, what is to prevent a gang of thieves from just coming along and levelling our precious Aquilaria?
Ecotourism.
Luxe or Semi-Luxe treehouses or glamping. All solar powered, all mod cons.
Why pay for security when You, I, Bhanny, Shabby, Thomas S, all you lovely Oud lovers and also just unrelated green friendly paying guests who are relaxing amongst some of the semi-wild plantations drinking profitable kyara teas and coffee? One sniff of a chainsaw and we get on the phone to the local police or army who's local big cheeses have been invited to stay as guests from time to time for free, of course and they bring uniforms with very big guns and handcuffs on the fly. Soon this would discourage the very naughty boys.
Not just by and for you artisans but also for we Oudlovers. Our more modest contribution would get us, for example, reduced prices (had to say that being Scottish!) or guaranteed quantities availble for purchase per year as well as visits.
Thoughts, everyone?