LUWUK'S RICE FIELDS LACKING WATER

Luwuk, C Sulawesi, Dec 17 (ANTARA) - At least 4,000 hectares of rain-fed rice fields in Luwuk, Central Sulawesi, are running short of water, a local agricultural official said.

"The water volumes of Masama's rivers have not yet increased significantly although the present rainy season has begun to arrive," head of Horticulture Crop Affairs of the Agricultural Service of Bangai district, Heni Erli Eva Afianti said here on Thursday.

She said that the Anadala and Waru rivers which were the main sources of water for Luwuk's rain-fed rice fields had not yet enough water volumes to feed the rice fields.

"Masama will possibly delay its planting season pending enough rain falls in January," she said.