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)