Kodim 0101/KBA distributes four water pump units to combat drought

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - The Kodim 01<0xA0>01/Kota Banda Aceh has distributed four water pump units to farmer groups in the Ingin Jaya and Blang Bintang districts of Aceh Besar Regency to meet water requirements in overcoming the impacts of drought.

“This assistance is a tangible manifestation of the state’s presence in supporting community welfare, particularly for farmers who require irrigation facilities to support agricultural productivity,” said the Commander of Kodim 0101/Kota Banda Aceh, Colonel Inf Faurizal Noerdin, in Aceh Besar on Friday.

He explained that with the provision of these water pump machines, farmers can overcome water availability constraints, especially during the dry season, thereby ensuring that agricultural yields can continue to increase.

The Commander stated that the distribution of this aid is part of a series of social service activities organised by Kodim 0101/Kota Banda Aceh as a form of the Indonesian Army’s (TNI AD) care for the community and support for the national food self-sufficiency programme.

He also expressed hope that the provided assistance could be utilised to its maximum potential to support increased productivity and the welfare of local farmers.

Kodim 010<0xC2><0xC2>1/Kota Banda Aceh also hopes that synergy between the military, local government, and the community will continue to be maintained in supporting food security and improving the welfare of farmers in Aceh Besar Regency.

According to data from the Aceh Besar Agriculture Office, the area of irrigated rice fields in the region reaches 14,138 hectares, while the area of rain-fed rice fields reaches 8,053 hectares.

Meanwhile, the Acting Head of the Aceh Besar Agriculture Office, Imam Munandar, stated that his office, in collaboration with the Sumatra I River Basin Organisation and the Aceh Besar Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), has deployed ten water pump units to address drought in several districts.