Sumedang Prepares for Prolonged Dry Season and Drought in Agricultural Lands

Kabupaten Sumedang is anticipating a prolonged dry season due to the El Niño phenomenon. The BMKG has informed that this year’s dry season will be longer and drier.

“The regency government has held a cross-sectoral coordination meeting to prepare for this phenomenon. We are striving to find ways to keep agricultural productivity increasing even amidst the prolonged dry conditions,” said Sumedang Regent Dony Ahmad Munir on Monday (6/4).

The Regent emphasised that increasing agricultural productivity amid the El Niño threat requires concrete steps and hard work. One of the efforts being undertaken is to increase water reserves by ensuring that existing embungs are in good condition.

“We have instructed the Public Works and Spatial Planning Department and the Agriculture Department to inventory the remaining embungs to ensure they are not damaged or leaking so they can store water. They can be utilised during the dry season,” he explained.

In addition, the Sumedang Regency Government will accelerate the repair of damaged irrigation networks, fix water gates, and ensure all irrigation equipment functions optimally.

“We will accelerate irrigation construction this year. Currently, there are already dozens of irrigation projects under construction. I have instructed the Sumedang Water Resources Management Office to realise them immediately,” he stressed.

The Regent also instructed the Agriculture Department to check the readiness of water pumps in Sumedang Regency, especially for drawing water from rivers during the dry season.

“Ensure the pumps are functioning well and prepare the fuel needs as well, so that when needed, they can be immediately utilised by farmers,” he asserted.