Aceh Besar accelerates drought-stricken rice field mitigation

The Government of Aceh Besar Regency continues to work to address drought affecting farmers’ rice fields due to the prolonged dry season hitting the area by deploying water pump machines and boreholes.

“The pump machines we have deployed 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 and the Aceh Besar Regional Disaster Management Agency, has deployed ten water pump units.

“The pump machines deployed are on loan to farmers. Besides those belonging to the River Basin Agency and the Aceh Besar Regional Disaster Management Agency, there are also aid pump machines used by farmers to meet water availability as an anticipation of crop failure,” he said.

He added that the Aceh Besar Regency Government will also prepare boreholes for areas classified as experiencing severe drought.

Imam said the handling carried out so far has reached around 390 hectares of drought-affected rice fields.

“The focus of handling covers land in the primordial phase as well as the growth period that urgently requires water distribution. This is a tangible commitment of the government’s presence in the community,” he said.

He noted that the number of rice fields affected by the prolonged dry season in Aceh Besar has reached 2,156 hectares.

He added that the River Basin Agency will deploy one water pump unit to help meet the water needs of rice fields affected by the drought disaster.

The Aceh Besar Regency Government is striving to remain present and provide maximum handling for farmers in need so that rice crops avoid crop failure.