inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated a budget of approximately IDR 336 billion to accelerate the rehabilitation of rice fields affected by flooding in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
"The budget will be used to restore rice fields with light to moderate damage so they can quickly return to production and maintain regional food supplies," said Hermanto, Director General of Agricultural Land and Irrigation at the Ministry of Agriculture, Monday (2/16/2026).
Director General Hermanto stated that this program is a follow-up to the rehabilitation groundbreaking event, which was held simultaneously on January 15, 2026. Accelerated rehabilitation is part of the government's commitment to maintaining food production and strengthening national food security.
This initiative is being implemented despite the weather forecast that predicts rainfall from January to March 2026 will still be at medium to high intensity, which is being anticipated to ensure optimal rehabilitation.
"The government's hope for the future is to immediately rehabilitate rice fields and repair damaged irrigation systems so that farmers can use them again for planting," said Hermanto.
He explained that the continued high rainfall in several regions is a factor that must be continuously anticipated in the program's implementation on the ground.
Various rehabilitation interventions are being implemented according to the level of land damage. Rice fields with light damage are being handled through land optimization activities, while moderate to severe damage is being handled through a special rehabilitation program, with land clearing prioritized based on technical planning documents and budget allocations.
Hermanto further stated that agricultural irrigation rehabilitation is also integrated with irrigation infrastructure improvements within the program menu of the Directorate General of Land and Irrigation, Ministry of Agriculture.
This step aligns with the directive of Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman to allocate 32,000 hectares of land optimization for disaster-affected rice fields, with construction activities including land clearing, land management, infrastructure repair, land cultivation, and land utilization.
Meanwhile, rehabilitation of disaster-affected rice fields is allocated to 9.9,000 hectares, with construction activities including land clearing, land preparation, and leveling.
Through collaborative efforts with local governments and farmers, Hermanto added, the Ministry of Agriculture affirms its commitment to ensuring timely, high-quality, and targeted rehabilitation as part of efforts to strengthen national food security.
(ad/ndt/pr/rs)
