Over 10,000 Hectares of Rice Fields in Indramayu Threatened by Crop Failure

Drought conditions are threatening tens of thousands of hectares of rice crops in Indramayu Regency with harvest failure, known locally as ‘puso’. Information gathered indicates that approximately 10,673 hectares of rice fields are at risk. Sutatang, Chairman of the Indramayu Regency Andalan Farmers and Fishermen Contact (KTNA), stated on Tuesday (21/7) that many farmers are worried, and if water is not immediately channelled to their fields, crop failure is imminent. A widespread failure would reduce rice production in the regency. The threatened crops are spread across six sub-districts: Sukra with 2,500 hectares affected out of 3,445 hectares; Patrol with 2,100 hectares out of 3,175 hectares; Anjatan with 2,000 hectares out of 6,150 hectares; Bongas with 500 hectares out of 5,000 hectares; Gabuswetan with 1,573 hectares out of 6,740 hectares; and Kandanghaur with 2,000 hectares out of 5,400 hectares. Sutatang noted that the affected plants are between 7 and 25 days old. In one drought-stricken area in Pranti Village, Kandanghaur Sub-district, the soil is visibly cracked and dry, though the young rice plants still appear green, suggesting they could potentially be saved. Sutatang added that the affected areas are in western Indramayu, which relies on water from the Jatiluhur Reservoir in Purwakarta Regency, distributed via the Salamdarma Weir. The KTNA and its sub-district branches have requested an audience with the Irrigation Service Unit to secure an immediate release of water to save the crops.