Rats, water wreaking havoc on crops in Tangerang

TANGERANG (JP): Rats and water shortages have struck some 2,900 hectares of rice fields, forcing farmers to have an early harvest, an official said on Tuesday.

Tangerang Agriculture Agency chief Yodhi Rosidi said about 10 districts were suffering from water shortages as a result of overburdened rice plantation.

"Many farmers in these districts are in bad need of water supply. They have cultivated rice in the plots for three consecutive periods of time.

"There is certainly not enough water for all the fields here especially during the dry season. We will have to arrange for water distribution. Let's hope that rain will fall in October," Yodhi said.

Besides the lack of water, increasing numbers of rats have hit the rice fields, mainly in Kronjo, Kresek and Balaraja districts. About 18 percent of the 365 hectares of plots have been destroyed by rat attacks.

"Farmers can only eradicate the rats by destroying their nests after the harvest is completed," Yodhi said.

"We usually put poison in the rat holes while processing the field," he added.

Snails are also a common problem when growing rice.

"Farmers can easily remove snails from rice plants if they are not too lazy," he said, adding that it takes about four months to grow paddy.

Local officials are planning to intensify the rice plantation by drying crops in November.

"At present the dried hulled paddy is worth Rp 1,400 per kilogram while the unhulled ones are worth Rp 1,000 per kilogram. Other vegetables such as chili is Rp 1,500 per kilogram and cassava is Rp 200 per kilogram. We want to fight for better prices for the farmers here," Yodhi said. (41/edt)