Agriculture Minister accelerates pump and shallow well aid for farmers in Gresik
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman is accelerating drought management in Gresik Regency, East Java, through pump assistance and the construction of shallow wells to maintain agricultural productivity and support national food self-sufficiency.
While inspecting more than 200 hectares of drought-affected farmland in Munggugianti Village, Benjeng District, Gresik, on Tuesday, Amran said the government is applying two approaches depending on the condition of water sources in the field.
“Where there is a water source near drought-stricken rice fields, we provide pumps directly. Where there is no water source, we prepare shallow wells,” he said.
In addition to drought management, the Ministry of Agriculture has allocated facilities and infrastructure support for Gresik farmers in the form of 54 pump irrigation units, nine pipe irrigation units, rehabilitation of 12 tertiary irrigation networks, and two two-wheel tractors for farm labourers.
He stressed that the government does not want the threat of drought to disrupt agricultural productivity, even though rice stocks in East Java are currently relatively secure with production of around 1.3 million tonnes.
“We are calm, but we must not be complacent and must continue to work hard on mitigating the risk of drought this year,” he said.
He also announced plans to simplify regulations so that farm labourers can more easily obtain agricultural machinery assistance through a proposal mechanism strengthened by field agricultural extension officers.
“The signature process does not need to be complicated. It is enough for the extension officer to sign, we receive it in Jakarta, and then we send the equipment to those who need it,” he said.
Regarding the proposed construction of a retention pond in the southern part of Gresik, Amran said the central government is ready to coordinate with relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency, to support the strengthening of water resource infrastructure in the area.
Gresik Deputy Regent Asluchul Alif expressed appreciation for the central government’s support, which greatly helps farmers maintain agricultural productivity during the dry season.
“This assistance is very meaningful for maintaining water availability and the productivity of agricultural land,” he said.
He affirmed that the Gresik Regency Government is ready to work together with the central government to strengthen agricultural infrastructure and ensure that assistance is well targeted to support national food self-sufficiency.