Drought hits 13 regencies

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: At least 13 of the 35 regencies in Central Java have been hit by drought, causing rice prices in the affected areas to go up, an official said.

Central Java Governor Soewardi said despite the drought, rice stocks in the affected regencies were more than enough for local consumers.

As a result of the drought, farmers in Banyumas, Purbalingga, Banjarnegara, Cilacap, Temanggung, Kebumen, Wonosobo, Blora, Grobogan, Boyolali, Sragen, Demak, Semarang and Kendal have been forced to dig deep wells to irrigate their rice fields.

Many farmers who had anticipated the drought had planted watermelon, cucumber and melon -- alternative agricultural products that grow well on dry soil -- to compensate for their failed rice harvest. (wah/03)