Regent: El Niño does not affect rice production in Sidrap
The Regent of Sidenreng Rappang (Sidrap), Syaharuddin Alrif, stated that the impact of the El Niño phenomenon during the current dry season has not significantly affected rice production in Sidrap.
“The impact of El Niño exists, but it does not have a major influence on harvests in Sidrap. We are striving to help farmers secure water for their fields through the provision of infrastructure and facilities,” he said during a casual discussion with journalists at Hotel Claro, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday.
The former Deputy Speaker of the South Sulawesi Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) noted that urban residents, such as those in Makassar, may not feel the impact directly because food distribution continues from production areas.
“Perhaps those living in the capital, like in Makassar, do not feel it as much. But if you have family in the regions, ask them yourself about the hard work involved in overcoming the effects of this drought,” he added.
To combat the drought, according to him, the Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, Plantations, and Food Security (DTPHPKP) has distributed pump-based irrigation assistance and implemented the ‘electricity for paddy fields’ programme to ensure water availability.
“We have distributed pump assistance, Pertalite fuel, LPG cylinders, and electricity tokens. This is being done so that our farmers can maintain their paddy until harvest for maximum yields,” said the Head of DRPKHP Sidrap, Ibrahim.
He explained that through various interventions and the hard work of agricultural extension officers, the land remains productive despite the dry season. “This programme has reached 2,193 boreholes at target locations, serving 10,965 hectares of paddy fields affected by drought,” he said.
Sidrap Regency covers an area of 188,325 hectares, with a total paddy field area of 52,227 hectares. The region is a major rice producer, consisting of approximately 34,000 hectares of irrigated rice fields and 22,000 hectares of rain-fed rice fields.
From this total area, the production of harvested dry grain (GPK) in Sidrap averages between 434,000 and 663,000 tonnes per year, with yields ranging from 10 to 12 tonnes per hectare during harvest periods.
Despite the drought, rice production in the region, nicknamed ‘Bumi Nene Mallomo’, remains unhindered and is still capable of producing 10 tonnes per hectare using integrated irrigation systems.
According to Sidrap Regency government data, in the Majjelling Wattang ward, Maritengngae district, which has 300 hectares of land, 52 hectares of paddy fields implement the IP300 system, allowing for three harvests per year. This area continues to produce between 10 and 12.3 tonnes of grain per hectare amidst extreme drought conditions.
Similarly, in Otting Village, Pitu Riawa district, land owned by farmer Idris Lakna has harvested 10 tonnes of grain per hectare, yielding Rp83 million per harvest. A similar situation is observed in Padangloang Village, Dua Pitue district, where approximately 481 hectares of paddy fields also achieved an average yield of 10 tonnes per hectare.