Distanbun optimistic 40,852 hectares of damaged rice fields in Aceh will recover this year
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - The Aceh Agriculture and Plantation Office (Distanbun) is optimistic that the restoration of 40,852 hectares of lightly and moderately damaged rice fields following hydrometeorological disasters in Aceh can be completed by the end of 2026.
“We are optimistic that the restoration of 40,852 hectares of lightly and moderately damaged rice fields can be completed throughout 2026,” said Acting Head of Aceh Distanbun, Azanuddin Kurnia, in Banda Aceh on Friday.
It is hoped that the community’s rice fields that have been successfully restored can be utilised again by farmers for the October 2026 planting season.
Azanuddin explained that the Aceh rice field recovery programme is being implemented in two stages. Phase I covers 23,818 hectares of lightly damaged rice fields through land optimisation and 4,393 hectares of moderately damaged fields through rehabilitation, totalling 28,211 hectares.
Phase II covers 3,253 hectares of land optimisation and 9,388 hectares of rehabilitation, totalling 12,641 hectares. The technical design documents for the second phase are currently being prepared.
Overall, for phases I and II, budget absorption has reached 63 percent with physical realisation of approximately 10,333 hectares across 16 affected regencies and municipalities.
This includes 4,180 hectares of land optimisation, rehabilitation reaching 4,393 hectares across 11 regencies and municipalities, and land cultivation of approximately 2,080 hectares.
Azanuddin added that the construction of supporting infrastructure is also showing progress. Pump irrigation has reached 68 percent, piping 88 percent, conservation structures 55 percent, tertiary irrigation networks 96 percent, and farm access roads 54 percent.
“Overall, the average absorption of all activities has reached 52.9 percent,” he said.
On this occasion, he urged the agriculture offices of affected regencies and municipalities to continue accelerating work while providing assistance to farmer groups receiving the programme. He also expressed hope that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel carrying out field work can complete activities according to schedule.
“Coordination must continue to be strengthened so that any obstacles that arise can be resolved promptly,” he said.
He added that overall, as of 25 August, budget absorption for rice field restoration in Aceh had reached 52.9 percent, or approximately Rp272.3 billion of the total allocated budget of Rp515 billion.
“With hard work and collaboration among all parties, we have reached the halfway point. God willing, this October planting season will see many rice fields ready for cultivation,” Azanuddin concluded.