Quick Action To Cope With Drought Lauded

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara, Sept 6 (ANTARA) - Agribusiness observer from the University of Nusa Cendana Leta Rafael Levis, M.Rur.Mnt, lauded the quick action taken by the central government in forestalling the impact of long drought hitting at least nine provinces of Indonesia. "The attentions shown by the agriculture ministry and the National Disaster Controlling Agency (BNPB) deserve high appreciation," Leta said here on Thursday. He said BNPB has completed integrated action plan against the threat of drought in Lampung, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java , West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), and West Papua. He said water tanks and water pumps were provided, water wells were dug and artificially made rain was created to cope with shortage in water supply both for irrigation and human consumption in the provinces. Construction and provision of the facilities as labor intensive projects involved local people, the agriculture ministry , the public works ministry and the agency, he said. Meanwhile, the agriculture ministry has set aside Rp199 billion for the program to cope with the drought threat all over the country. The fund will be handed over directly to farm groups to prevent illegal cut and levies, Agriculture Minister Suswono said. "Fund aid of Rp3.7 per hectare of rice field have been provided for farm cultivation and fertilizer to prevent harvest failure , Suswono said on Wednesday. He said the Rp199 billion fund is expected to cope with drought in at least 65,000 hectares of rice field. Leta expressed regret that the actions had been more in coping with the effect of the drought rather than to prevent the drought which has been an annual problem. He warned that shortage in fresh water supply would be a big problem in the world in this century, saying in 2050, two third of the world population would suffer water shortage. In Indonesia since 1995 Java, Bali and Nusatenggara have suffered deficit in water supply every year in dry season, he said. Deficit is recorded in seven months of dry season and surplus in five months of rainy season, he added. In East Nusatenggara many farmers have converted their farm lands into other purpose such as for housing projects after being long left idle . "The farmers are frustrated at seeing their land lying useless. They could no longer wait for not forthcoming rains," a villager said.