Brown Planthopper Pest Attacks Rice Fields in Pidie, Aceh Ahead of Harvest Season

Farmers in Pidie Regency, Aceh, are increasingly anxious as their second-season rice crops are being attacked by pests suspected to be brown planthoppers. Observations in the Lampoih Saka area, Peukan Baro District, reveal that these sap-sucking pests are attacking rice plants approximately 2.5 months old.

The infestation is occurring at a critical stage as the plants are entering the grain-filling phase. The spread of the pest has been remarkably rapid; what began as a single location two days ago has already expanded to two points, with the affected area continuing to widen and becoming difficult to control within just three days.

“The diameter of the attack continues to expand. The affected plants are turning yellow and drying up as if burnt,” said Abdullah, a farmer in the Lampui Saka area, on Sunday.

There are growing concerns that if the infestation is not handled promptly, it will continue to spread to surrounding paddy fields, potentially leading to widespread crop failure (puso). Records indicate that brown planthopper attacks have frequently occurred in Pidie Regency over the last five years. The spread is believed to be facilitated by the continued use of non-certified or uncertified seeds by many local farmers.