Post-disaster Paddy Field Rehabilitation Accelerated, More than 2,000 Hectares Restored in Two Weeks

Rehabilitation of farmland affected by hydrometeorological disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra continues to accelerate. In less than two weeks, more than 2,000 hectares of paddy fields have been rehabilitated to enable communities to resume farming. According to data from the Task Force for Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) as of 18 May 2026, 6,109 hectares of paddy fields have been rehabilitated from a total of 42,702 hectares of affected land across the three provinces. Earlier, on 7 May 2026, the extent rehabilitated stood at 4,098 hectares. Paddy fields previously covered in mud and damaged by floods are gradually being worked again and planted by farmers in anticipation of the next planting season. The rehabilitation process is not only about clearing land but also about repairing irrigation and optimising farming areas so that the rehabilitated paddies can become productive again in a sustainable manner. This step is considered important to help communities restore their livelihoods after the disaster. Meanwhile, rehabilitation in Aceh has reached 1,532 hectares out of a total of 31,464 hectares of affected paddies. North Sumatra has recorded 1,219 hectares out of a total of 7,336 hectares rehabilitated. The acceleration of the agricultural sector’s recovery is supported by a revitalisation budget for agriculture and the construction of irrigation infrastructure amounting to Rp 877.126 trillion in the three affected regions. The aid is used for paddy rehabilitation, land optimisation, and the construction of irrigation networks to support the recovery of community farming. Head of the Post-Disaster PRR Task Force Sumatera Muhammad Tito Karnavian said that paddy rehabilitation is one of the government’s top priorities because it directly relates to food security and the recovery of people’s economy. “This is urgent. Therefore, there is funding from ministries and agencies. For example, the Minister of Agriculture (distributes) almost Rp 900 billion for agricultural irrigation, seeds, and others,” he said in a press release received by Kompas.com, Tuesday (19 May 2026). The statement was delivered by Tito at the Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), Jakarta, Tuesday.