Long drought

Long drought

We have good reasons to be concerned about the long drought
that will hit hectares of agricultural land in West Java as
stated by H. Sanusi, Chief of the Office of Agricultural Service
and Food Crops. It is also feared that ground water and rivers
will decrease during that dry period.

In this context, West Java Deputy Governor Haji Ukman Utarya
has warned all district chiefs not to work behind the desk only,
but instead to tour the area to monitor the situation. It has
also been suggested that water pumps be used to get the needed
water.

We agree to the idea. However, water pumps are very expensive
and wasteful. Windmills are a good alternative, but these devices
must be produced by bona fide factories to guarantee their
quality.

We have many engineers who are waiting for employment. They
should be recruited to manage irrigation system if we are to be
self-reliant in matters of food products.

-- Merdeka, Jakarta