Recovery of flood-affected paddy fields in West Aceh reaches 96 per cent

The recovery of paddy fields affected by flooding in West Aceh, Aceh, has reached 96 per cent of the total 1,907 hectares, according to the local Department of Agriculture. Farmers have resumed activities and have entered their second harvest following the receipt of government aid.

The recovery process involved mud clearing, irrigation channel repairs, the provision of water pump assistance, and the distribution of paddy seeds. Mahyudanil, Head of the Food Crops Division at the West Aceh Department of Food Crops and Horticulture (DPTPH), stated that the government also received 45,000 kilograms of paddy seed assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture, which has been distributed to various farmer groups.

This assistance is being utilised to support the replanting of lands impacted by the disaster. Mahyudanil noted that following the disaster, the recovery period lasted approximately four to six months, and the area is now returning to normal levels for the second harvest.

Samsul Bahri, a local farmer, expressed that government assistance has helped farmers reactivate their land and restore their livelihoods following the disaster. He expressed deep gratitude to the President, the Minister, and the relevant task forces and departments for the aid that has enabled the local economy to recover.

Following the interventions, farmers in several areas of West Aceh have resumed planting and harvesting. Current rice production is reported to reach an average of almost four tonnes per hectare. The government aims to ensure the continued recovery of agricultural land to restore farmer productivity and community economic activity.