Aceh Besar accelerates drought-stricken rice field mitigation

The Aceh Besar district government is continuing its efforts to address drought in farmers’ rice fields caused by the prolonged dry season hitting the region, by deploying water pump machines and boreholes. “The pump machines we are deploying are one form of the government’s presence to provide solutions and anticipate crop failure,” said the Acting Head of the Aceh Besar Agriculture Office, Imam Munandar, in Lambaro on Tuesday. His office, in cooperation with the Sumatra I River Basin Agency (BWS) and the Aceh Besar Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), has deployed ten water pump units. “The pump machines deployed are on loan to farmers. In addition to those owned by BWS and the Aceh Besar BPBD, there are also aid pump machines used by farmers to meet water availability as a measure to anticipate crop failure,” he said. He added that the Aceh Besar district government will also prepare boreholes for areas classified as experiencing severe drought. Imam noted that the current handling has reached approximately 390 hectares of drought-affected rice fields. “The focus of the handling includes fields in the primordial phase and the growth phase, which critically need water distribution. This is a tangible commitment to the government’s presence within the community,” he said. He stated that the total number of rice fields affected by the prolonged dry season in Aceh Besar has reached 2,156 hectares. He added that the BWS will deploy one water pump machine to help meet the water needs of drought-stricken fields. The Aceh Besar district government is striving to remain present and provide maximum handling for farmers in need so that rice crops can avoid crop failure.