The efforts include the provision of seeds, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and on-the-ground support.
"The central government ensures that all flood-affected rice fields in North Sumatra, Aceh, and West Sumatra, totalling around 40 thousand hectares, will be handled immediately without burdening farmers," he said while monitoring flood-damaged rice fields in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra, on Wednesday.
Sulaiman stressed that the recovery scheme is being carried out comprehensively, ranging from the reconstruction of lost rice fields and the distribution of aid, seeds, and agricultural machinery to replanting until the fields are ready to be returned to their owners.
While inspecting the 82 hectares of damaged rice fields in Central Tapanuli, he noted that the central government is taking over the restoration process entirely; farmers will not bear the costs, and all stages will be ensured to proceed quickly.
“We will restore them to their original state,” he underscored.
The minister urged regional governments to immediately complete administrative matters regarding rice field boundaries so that reconstruction work can begin soon.
In the recovery efforts, the approach is tailored to the level of damage in each rice field.
For rice fields completely swept away by the floods, the government is carrying out rebuilding.
Meanwhile, for fields that can still be salvaged, free seeds and agricultural equipment are being prepared.
To accelerate the process, the Ministry of Agriculture is utilizing local contractors with funding sourced entirely from the central government.
Minister Sulaiman is targeting the recovery to be completed within one to two months, adjusted according to the availability of heavy equipment and administrative readiness in the regions.
During his visit, the minister also ensured that rice stocks in the affected areas remain secure, as the government has tripled reserves compared to current needs.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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