Task Force Chief Oversees Agricultural and Aquaculture Recovery Efforts in Sumatra Following Disaster

Muhammad Tito Karnavian, head of the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force (PRR) for Post-Disaster Sumatra, has committed to overseeing the expedited recovery of agricultural land and shrimp ponds affected by disasters in the Sumatran region.

Tito stated that he has coordinated with relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan), to accelerate intervention efforts, particularly to ensure that affected lands return to productivity.

According to Tito, the government has conducted a mapping of the condition of affected agricultural land and aquaculture ponds as a basis for intervention.

“After Eid, they will begin intensive efforts immediately. To help ponds that have been buried in silt to be restored to life,” Tito said in a written statement on Tuesday (17 March 2026).

He made these remarks to media following a Coordination Meeting on the Implementation of Presidential Strategic Programmes at the Office of the Ministry of Defence, Jakarta, on Tuesday (17 March).

Based on mapping results, some land can be directly optimised for replanting. However, some land is covered by material debris, such as rock and timber, requiring a prior cleaning process.

“It has to be cleaned. It is called the new field printing programme. Even though this is old agricultural land, the budget falls under the new field printing programme,” Tito explained.

Tito added that the duration of work will depend on the extent of the affected area. He assessed that agricultural land recovery would be a major undertaking requiring cross-sector coordination. Nevertheless, he reaffirmed his personal commitment to overseeing the process to ensure it proceeds according to plan.

“I will certainly oversee it,” he concluded.