Ensuring Food Security, PRR Task Force Accelerates Paddy Field Rehabilitation in Sumatra

The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) post-disaster in Sumatra continues to accelerate the rehabilitation of paddy fields damaged by hydrometeorological disasters in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar).

This acceleration involves a land revitalisation scheme accompanied by land protection to prevent conversion, ensuring the sustainability of rice supplies and regional food security, while also speeding up farmers’ recovery.

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that his ministry has conducted data collection and inventory of affected agricultural land, while ensuring that the area of productive land remains maintained despite disaster damage.

He revealed that the government is not only focusing on rehabilitating affected land through revitalisation and new paddy field creation but also strengthening it with land protection policies to prevent conversion, thereby maintaining food productivity.

“Protection of agricultural land in those areas is the government’s focus. We have held meetings and emphasised that land conversion is not allowed, period. And there is already a law for it, so no more violations,” said Amran during a visit to a Bulog warehouse in Karawang on Thursday (23/4/2026).

While conducting data collection on damaged land, the government is also providing parallel agricultural assistance in the form of superior seeds and seedlings. This is done to ensure that farmers can immediately resume planting post-disaster.

“All those affected, the government provides assistance, including in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. All damaged paddy fields are covered by the government,” said Amran.

Based on Satgas PRR data as of 24 April 2026, out of a total of 42,702 hectares of paddy fields targeted for rehabilitation in the three affected provinces, 2,045 hectares of land have been rehabilitated and 12,126 hectares are still in the handling process.

The details are: in Aceh Province, out of 31,464 hectares of paddy fields targeted for rehabilitation, 116 hectares have been fully rehabilitated. In Sumut, out of 7,336 hectares targeted for rehabilitation, 224 hectares have been fully rehabilitated. Meanwhile, in Sumbar, out of 3,902 hectares targeted for rehabilitation, 1,705 hectares have been completed.