Drought Threat: 5,000 Hectares of Rice Fields in Tabanan Covered by Insurance

The threat of harvest failure due to the dry season has brought insurance protection to 5,000 hectares of rice fields in Tabanan Regency through the 2026 Rice Farming Business Insurance Programme (AUTP). Participating farmers need not pay premiums, as these are fully covered by the government.

I Made Utama, Head of Infrastructure and Facilities at the Tabanan Agriculture Office, said when contacted on Tuesday (8/9/2026) that administrative processing and participant data collection are still ongoing.

The protected farmland is spread across almost all districts, except East Selemadeg and Pupuan.

“For assistance to farmers during this year’s dry season, there is only the AUTP covering 5,000 hectares, and it is still at the administrative stage,” said Made Utama.

Meanwhile, the registration of prospective participants is being carried out through the Agricultural Extension Centre (BPP) coordinators in each district. He said farmers’ land must also meet the programme’s requirements and be part of a subak registered as an AUTP participant.

If harvest failure occurs in accordance with the stipulated conditions, farmers will receive coverage of Rp6 million per hectare.

“This scheme is expected to help farmers recover their farming operations and replant in the following season,” he explained.

Made Utama said this year’s AUTP coverage is limited in line with budget capacity. Meanwhile, assistance in the form of agricultural machinery and equipment (alsintan), such as water pumps and tractors, cannot yet be provided directly as it must go through a proposal mechanism.

“The AUTP has not yet been realised as it is still at the proposal administration stage. As for the requirements, registration must be done when the rice is between 1 and 30 days old,” he said.

The Tabanan Agriculture Office hopes the AUTP protection can serve as a cushion for farmers facing production risks during the dry season, while also safeguarding the sustainability of the agricultural sector in the region, which serves as Bali’s rice bowl.