Home Affairs Minister: Agriculture Ministry Support Crucial for Paddy Field Recovery in Aceh
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, in his capacity as Head of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in the Sumatra Region, has stressed the importance of support from the Agriculture Ministry to expedite the recovery of paddy fields covered in mud following floods in Meurah Dua subdistrict, Pidie Jaya regency, Aceh.
"Hopefully Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman will give immediate attention to the condition of the land so it can become productive again," said the Home Affairs Minister in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday (21/2).
Tito explained that approximately 1,500 hectares of community-owned paddy fields had sustained severe damage after being buried under thick mud. The depth of mud at several points reached 50 centimetres to one metre, and was previously reported to be even deeper. In addition, thousands of hectares of other farmland sustained light to moderate damage.
He emphasised that Pidie Jaya regency is one of the region's food granaries, with a total agricultural area of approximately 8,800 hectares. Consequently, the damage to the land has the potential to reduce rice production if not promptly addressed.
"This is a matter of concern for the local communities, and beyond that, our rice production could also decline," he said.
In his statement, Tito expressed hope that the Agriculture Ministry would give immediate attention to the situation. The acceleration of land rehabilitation is considered essential to restore the mud-covered paddy fields to functional farmland.
"Hopefully Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman will give immediate attention to the condition of the land so it can become productive again," said the Home Affairs Minister in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday (21/2).
Tito explained that approximately 1,500 hectares of community-owned paddy fields had sustained severe damage after being buried under thick mud. The depth of mud at several points reached 50 centimetres to one metre, and was previously reported to be even deeper. In addition, thousands of hectares of other farmland sustained light to moderate damage.
He emphasised that Pidie Jaya regency is one of the region's food granaries, with a total agricultural area of approximately 8,800 hectares. Consequently, the damage to the land has the potential to reduce rice production if not promptly addressed.
"This is a matter of concern for the local communities, and beyond that, our rice production could also decline," he said.
In his statement, Tito expressed hope that the Agriculture Ministry would give immediate attention to the situation. The acceleration of land rehabilitation is considered essential to restore the mud-covered paddy fields to functional farmland.