Sumatra Rice Fields Recovering, Planting Area Increases by 44 Per Cent in 20 Days
Efforts to restore rice fields damaged by floods are being continuously carried out by the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (Satgas PRR) in Sumatra. According to daily reports from the Satgas PRR, under the command of Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, 3,256 hectares of rice fields entered the planting season on 2 June 202pend 2026.
“The recovery of affected rice fields is being continuously pushed to strengthen community food security,” said Satgas PRR Spokesperson, Amran, on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.
The area of successfully recovered rice fields increased by 99 hectares, or approximately 44 per cent, within a 20-day period between 13 May and 2 June 2026. As of 13 May, the area of rice fields entering the planting season totalled 2,259 hectares, all located in West Sumatra. However, as of today, there is an additional 939 hectares in West Sumatra and 58 hectares in Aceh that have returned to cultivation.
This achievement shows progress towards the target set by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tomsi Tohir, on 30 April, which is to ensure the acceleration of the planting season before the peak of the dry season in August. Across the three provinces, the 3,256 hectares represent 8 per cent of the total recovery target of 42,702 hectares. The recovery process begins with the preparation of planning documents, followed by construction and land preparation phases before the fields can be replanted.
In West Sumatra, the figure is particularly high, representing 82 per cent of the total target of 3,902 hectares. This is due to the fact that Solok Regency, which suffered the most extensive damage in the province, has recovered 91 per cent of its target 1,500 hectares. Other areas have also shown significant acceleration, including West Pasaman Regency with 172 hectares, Solok City with 78 hectares, and Pariaman City with 36 hectares, all of which have reached 100 per cent recovery.
In Aceh, specifically in Bireuen Regency, recovery has been completed, allowing 58 hectares to be replanted. The total area of affected rice fields in this regency is 2,620 hectares, with 31,464 hectares across the Aceh Province. Meanwhile, in North Sumatra, no rice fields have yet entered the planting season from a target of 7,336 hectares; the rehabilitation process there is currently in the construction stage with a 49 per cent achievement.
The budget allocated for the recovery of this sector is being distributed to the respective local governments. The allocation totals IDR 337.9 billion, divided into IDR 221.5 billion for Aceh, IDR 83.8 billion for North Sumatra, and IDR 32.6 billion for West Sumatra.