600 hectares of paddy fields in Nagan Raya suffer drought due to shallow irrigation canals
The water flow in the Jeuram irrigation system has significantly decreased because the canals have become extremely shallow. Nagan Raya, Aceh – Around 600 hectares of paddy fields in Nagan Raya Regency, Aceh, are experiencing drought as a result of the shallowing of the Jeuram irrigation canal. Consequently, the local Department of Agriculture and Livestock (Distannak) has requested the Aceh Provincial Irrigation Office to carry out immediate canal normalisation.
The Jeuram Irrigation Canal (Jeuram Irrigation Area) is an irrigation network serving 12,000 hectares of agricultural land, supplying water through the Seunagan Main Canal and several secondary canals, including Ukam, Kuta Jeumpa Lempe, and Blang Pui.
“We hope the provincial authorities will immediately undertake dredging so that the shallowing of the irrigation system caused by the accumulation of sand and mud sediment can be resolved,” said the Head of the Nagan Raya Regency Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Marzuki, to ANTARA on Monday.
He stated that the impact of this shallowing has triggered a drastic reduction in water flow. If this condition is left unaddressed without rapid intervention, the sustainability of the agricultural sector in the region is threatened with paralysis.
The Nagan Raya Regency Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Aceh Province, noted that up to 600 hectares of farmers’ paddy fields in the Kuala and Suka Makmue Districts are currently experiencing drought due to the dry season.
The distribution of drought-affected paddy fields in the Kuala District includes 11 villages, namely Ujong Pasi (105 Ha), Alue Ie Mameh (80.25 Ha), Simpang Peut (76.5 Ha), Blang Muko (73 Ha), Blang Bintang (51.2 Ha), Ujong Patihah (48 Ha), Cot Kumbang (45 Ha), Blang Baro (40 Ha), Kuta Makmue (35 Ha - rain-fed), Ujong Sikuneng (29.5 Ha), and Pulo Ie (15.75 Ha).
Drought is also occurring in the Suka Makmue District, covering Seumambek Village with 30.34 hectares and Macah Village with 68.38 hectares. Marzuki noted that these two villages consist of rain-fed paddy fields, making them highly vulnerable to the dry season as they lack adequate alternative water sources.
“We hope the Aceh Provincial Irrigation Office will immediately clean the Jeuram irrigation canals. The current water flow is very low because it has become very shallow due to sand and mud sediment,” Marzuki added.
He emphasised that the Jeuram Irrigation Canal in Nagan Raya Regency is the lifeblood of the local agricultural sector, serving as the primary water source for all farmers in the regency to cultivate their lands. He warned that delays in addressing the sediment accumulation would have a systemic impact on upcoming planting seasons, particularly during land preparation which requires a stable water supply.
In addition to threatening regional food productivity, Marzuki expressed concern over potential social impacts arising from this water crisis. Water scarcity at the downstream level is prone to triggering friction and horizontal conflict in the field.
“If not addressed immediately, farmers will face disruptions in land preparation. There could even be disputes among farmers in the field as they struggle to compete for water needs,” he explained.
The Nagan Raya Regency Government hopes the provincial authorities will recognise the urgency of this issue and immediately deploy a team to the field. Comprehensive sediment dredging is expected to restore the optimal function of the Jeuram irrigation system to ensure food security and maintain the farmers’ motivation for cultivation.