"The biggest post-disaster challenge is the recovery of the agricultural sector. We recorded extensive and urgent damage, including 25,000 hectares of affected land, encompassing rice fields, drylands, plantations, and fish ponds," Mahyeldi said.
Regarding the situation, he noted that urgent needs for the agricultural sector include support with agricultural machinery and production facilities to accelerate rehabilitation.
With a short timeline, he said that recovery must be completed quickly so that the land can be replanted by the end of December 2025 to ensure food availability ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
"Within a few months, we will face the fasting month and Eid. Therefore, support in the form of tools is needed to help rehabilitation so that by the end of December the land can be replanted and productive again," Mahyeldi said.
To meet food needs for disaster-affected residents, West Sumatra has received humanitarian assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Food Agency totaling Rp75 billion (around US$4.5 million).
The arrival of 250 tons of logistics with the KRI Banda Aceh warwaship at Teluk Bayur Port in Padang resulted from coordination by Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman with state-owned food companies and strategic partners.
Governor Mahyeldi expressed gratitude for the response, emphasizing the central government’s seriousness in assisting local communities.
He affirmed coordination with the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL), state-owned port operator Pelindo, and regional leadership coordination forum to ensure smooth distribution of aid and prioritize agricultural land recovery.
In response to critical agricultural needs, the Ministry of Agriculture will conduct detailed assessments of land damage, which will guide the distribution of machinery and farming tools to West Sumatra.
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Translator: Zulfikar, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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