Water Flows, Subak Abian Farmers in Karangasem Harvest Shallots During Dry Season
The hopes of farmers belonging to Subak Abian Samuh, in the traditional village of Paleg Kaje, Kubu District, Karangasem, to continue cultivating their land during the dry season are beginning to be realised. Their wish came true after water started flowing to the subak area in June 2026. As a result, around 20 hectares of agricultural land could be planted and has now produced a successful shallot harvest.
The shallot harvest at Subak Abian Samuh took place on Monday (31/8/2026). The Regent of Karangasem, I Gusti Putu Parwata (Gus Par), was present on the occasion. Gus Par attended to see firsthand the condition of the farmland and the benefits of the water that has been irrigating the Subak Abian Samuh area.
“When I came in April, farmers told me that their main obstacle was water. I said we needed to find a way so that planting could continue during the dry season. Thank God, from June the water has been flowing and today we can see the results for ourselves,” said Gus Par on Monday (31/8/2026).
Gus Par said that water availability is one of the keys to maintaining the productivity of agricultural land. Water availability gives farmers the opportunity to extend the planting season without having to wait for the rainy season to arrive.
“If normally in a year there can be two to a maximum of three planting cycles, with this water we hope it can increase to four or even five. That means the land remains productive and farmers’ incomes can also increase,” said Gus Par.
The 2026 dry season is the first experience for Subak Abian Samuh farmers of being able to plant with the support of a water supply. In addition to shallots, a number of farmers have also begun trying other commodities, such as cucumber and long beans. As a result, land that previously had the potential to be less productive during the dry season is now being utilised to its full potential.
Gus Par stressed that the government will continue to encourage the strengthening of the agricultural sector, particularly in meeting farmers’ basic need for water. Gus Par does not want agricultural land to be productive only during the rainy season.
“If the water is available, let us make the best possible use of this land. The government will continue to work so that the water supply for agriculture can keep improving,” said Gus Par.
Subak Abian Samuh has around 20 hectares of agricultural land worked by 45 households. Since water became available, farmers now have the opportunity to increase the frequency of planting while also developing commodities suited to the condition of the land.
This shallot harvest in the middle of the dry season is early proof that water availability can keep agricultural land productive throughout the year.