Two West Sumatra Regencies Propose Status Change for 590ha Severely Damaged Rice Fields, Task Force Responds
The Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force for Post-Disaster Sumatra (PRR Task Force) is accelerating the recovery of rice fields in West Sumatra. Total land damage in the province amounts to 6,443 hectares, comprising 2,802 hectares of light damage, 1,100 hectares of moderate damage, and 2,541 hectares of severe damage. In Padang Pariaman Regency, 637 hectares have resumed planting, leaving approximately 7 hectares still in recovery.
During a monitoring and evaluation activity in Padang Pariaman on 21 May 2026, the PRR Task Force team, including Brigadier General Yopie Sepang, Colonel Feksy D. Angi, Chief Inspector Dennie Andreas, and other officials, held a coordination meeting with Deputy Regent Rahmat Hidayat and relevant government representatives.
The meeting addressed 490 hectares of severely damaged rice fields in Padang Pariaman. Recovery efforts are hindered by budget allocation issues, as central government assistance is only allocated for moderately and lightly damaged fields. Padang Pariaman Regency is requesting regulatory support to reclassify severely damaged fields as moderate, with the condition that local communities agree to cover any funding shortfall through voluntary contributions. Similarly, Agam Regency has proposed budget allocation for around 100 hectares of severely damaged fields.
Meanwhile, Agam Regency’s target for rehabilitating lightly and moderately damaged fields is 698 hectares with a budget of Rp6.89 billion. So far, 406 hectares (58%) of affected land have resumed planting.
To resolve the issues in both regencies, the PRR Task Force has offered to facilitate coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally, on 30 April, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tomsi Tohir, set a deadline for rehabilitation to be completed before the peak dry season in August.
“The issue of reclassifying severely damaged rice fields as moderate, as requested by local governments, will be addressed by the PRR Task Force coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture,” stated in the meeting minutes received by Tempo on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
Rice field rehabilitation and reconstruction remain a top government priority, as agriculture is not only crucial for food security but also impacts community economics.
“This is urgent. There is budget allocated from ministries and agencies. For example, the Minister of Agriculture is allocating nearly Rp900 billion for irrigation, seeds, and other needs,” said PRR Task Force Chairman and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian.