Drought-hit rice farmers cry for help

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.