Drought-hit rice farmers cry for help

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Government assurances that food supplies are adequate may hardly comfort rice farmers, as they have called for government help to stave off widespread harvest failure caused by a possible long dry season.

The drought is damaging rice crops along West Java's northern coast, including Cirebon, Indramayu, Subang, Karawang and Purwakarta. In some areas, farmers clash over access to water.

These areas are long known as one of the country's rice- producing centers.

Data from the province's Ministry of Agriculture office shows that at least 40,000 hectares of rice field in those areas are at risk of harvest failure.

H. Sukarya, a 44-year-old rice farmer from Kroya district, said that since the drought had begun in early June, his two- hectare rice field had run dry and was now beyond rescue.

"I could have harvested about four tons to five tons of unhusked rice; it's over now."

Another rice farmer, Abdul Gani said he and his friend were tapping ground water by means of a pump, but the amount was insufficient to cover their rice fields.

"We hope the government can help us, otherwise our crops will perish," he said.

In West Cirebon, farmers purchased water to sprinkle on their dry rice fields.

But rice farmer Ashrom said this could save only 75 percent of the crop. He said farmers would still lose about Rp 800,000 (about US$91) to Rp 800,000 should be

Cirebon regency head H. Sutisna said his administration would set aside Rp 200 million for the purchase of water pumps.

"Right now I am hoping for provincial assistance (from West Java) to help direct water to critical areas in Kapetakan district," he said.

Water scarcity triggered clashes among farmers, said Widasari district chief Djoko Purnomo. He said officials were guarding water facilities with the help of the local police.

"We must ensure farmers don't break irrigation channels or seize one of the water sluice gates."

In Banyumas, around 12 percent of rice fields are at risk of harvest failure according to the local administration.

The administration's economic development officer, Suyatno, said it had 39 water pumps but needed 200 to fight the water crisis. "We're asking the provincial government (Central Java) for more water pumps," he said.

In East Lampung thousands of farmers reportedly abandoned their rice fields to seek jobs in cities.

Tegalyoso village chief Otto Sukmawinata said people had left the village for Bandar Lampung.

He said just two months ago farmers had a great harvest, but because of the flooding last January they lost nearly all of their crops.

"We were able to eat rice for just a few days. After we ran out of rice, about a month ago, we were back to eating tiwul (food made from cassava)."

Karim, an East Lampung citizen, said those forced to eat tiwul mostly worked as small farmers or fishermen, earning some Rp 3,000 per day to Rp 5,000 per day. "How can they afford to buy rice, if it costs Rp 2,700 a liter?" he said.