Aceh's Agricultural Land Replanted, Regional Secretary Applauds PRR Task Force

The recovery of the agricultural sector in areas of Aceh affected by hydrometeorological disasters continues to show positive progress. Through synergy among stakeholders, the acceleration of paddy field restoration is being pushed so that community activities can return to normal. As of early July 2026, the realisation of the land optimisation programme has reached 32 percent. This progress is a crucial part of accelerating rehabilitation and reconstruction in 18 affected regencies and cities in Aceh. This revival momentum was marked by the inaugural rice planting movement in Bukit Panjang Village, Karang Baru District, Aceh Tamiang Regency, on Sunday (5/7/2026). The activity underscores the government’s commitment to restoring land productivity while strengthening food security. Aceh Regional Secretary M. Nasir, representing Governor H. Muzakir Manaf, stated that the hydrometeorological disaster had severely hit the agricultural sector. It was recorded that around 57,364 hectares of paddy fields and 60,438 hectares of plantation land were damaged. Aceh Tamiang Regency was one of the worst-hit areas due to flooding that carried mud material. Despite this, recovery progress is proceeding well. “We thank the Minister of Agriculture and all ranks of the Ministry of Agriculture who moved quickly to help our farmers. This recovery is a top priority so that the community’s economic wheels can return to normal,” said M. Nasir in a written statement on Sunday (5/7/2026). Nasir explained that land recovery is being executed in stages according to the level of damage. The process begins with optimising lightly damaged land, rehabilitating moderately damaged land, and processing land after all construction is complete so it can be planted immediately. Beyond land restoration, the government is also actively repairing agricultural support infrastructure. Several interventions have been carried out through the construction and rehabilitation of pumping irrigation systems, piping irrigation, conservation structures, tertiary irrigation networks, and restoring farm access roads, which are the lifeline for harvest mobility. On that occasion, M. Nasir also expressed his appreciation to the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (Satgas PRR) for Sumatra, Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman, the Aceh Agriculture and Plantation Office, the Aceh Tamiang Regency Government, the Iskandar Muda Military Command, and farmer groups. This collaborative effort is considered the key to restarting the community’s economic wheels. Concluding the inaugural planting activity, M. Nasir invited all farmers to make the most of this early post-disaster planting season. “Today’s inaugural planting is not merely a routine of sowing seeds, but a symbol that our farmers remain strong, spirited, and optimistic in keeping Aceh’s food supply secure,” he said.