Farmers burn rice paddies

Farmers burn rice paddies

BANYUMAS, Central Java: Hundreds of farmers here and in the
neighboring town of Cilacap set their rice paddies on fire to
prevent a pest which has destroyed a large portion of the paddies
from spreading.

The pest has hit paddies in the districts of Sokaraja,
Baturaden, Kedungbanteng, Cilongok and Kembaran in Banyuman, and
the districts of Adipala, Kroya, Nusawungu, Maos and Sampang in
Cilacap.

Many of the paddies were four months old, but hopes of a large
harvest had already faded because of the havoc wreaked by the
pest.

The head of the Banyumas agricultural office, JB Sudarmo, said
the farmers' should not have burned their paddies because it
would not eradicate the pest.

However, he said his office lacked the funds to provide
pesticide for the farmers. (45)