Preventing Crop Failure During Dry Season, Corn Fields in Riau Watered by Fire Brigade
The Pangkalan Kuras area of Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province, has begun to experience drought and dry conditions. No rain has fallen for two weeks, threatening corn crops with failure.
In response to the dry season, the Pangkalan Kuras Police Sector has taken the initiative to water the corn plants using a fire brigade truck. Pangkalan Kuras Police Chief Kompol Rinaldi Parlindungan stated that this effort was made to anticipate crop failure.
“This swift action is taken so that corn growth remains optimal amid minimal rainfall,” Kompol Rinaldi said in a statement on Saturday (13/6/2026).
Watering is focused on first-quarter plants that have already formed cobs and second-quarter plants aged one month to prevent water stress. The plan is to repeat the watering the following day to maintain soil moisture until normal rainfall returns.
“Because it has not rained yet, the Fire Brigade and the Police are here to deliver water for the corn,” he added.
The watering was carried out on a 12-hectare cornfield in Sialang Indah, Pangkalan Kuras District, Pelalawan Regency. The cornfield is cultivated by a farmer group mentored by the Pangkalan Kuras Police Sector.
“This corn is part of the national food self-sufficiency programme; it must not wither because of the drought. I have instructed the Bhabinkamtibmas and the Village Cooperative Unit to coordinate with the Fire Brigade so that routine watering proceeds. With the spirit of ‘Protecting Fortune, Guarding Dignity’, we will shepherd it from planting to harvest. Farmers at ease, food secure — that is our goal,” he explained.
If crop failure is avoided, this corn will be ready for harvest between July and September 2026. The dry conditions have caused the corn leaves to curl due to lack of water.
This activity demonstrates that the Indonesian National Police is not only present to maintain security but also fully supports government programmes towards national food self-sufficiency.