Jambi Provincial Government Issues A Capai 396 Hectare Land Opening Program In The Middle Of The Dry Season

Illustration of forest and land fires extinguishing using helicopters or water bombings. (Between-Nova W)

JAMBI - The Jambi Provincial Government (Pemprov) has prepared a program for people who want to clear land without having to burn to avoid forest and land fires (karhutla).

"There is good news from the Jambi Provincial Government which has a Land Unburned Opening Program (PLTB) for people who want to clear land for agriculture and plantations," said Jambi Governor Al Haris, in Jambi, Monday, May 8, as reported by Antara.

Al Haris said the PLTB program provided funds for land clearing or clearing of land as proposed by the community and the government had prepared funds according to the amount of land to be proposed to the Jambi Provincial Government.

He conveyed that the PLTB Program would also provide seed and fertilizer assistance for people who would clear land. For this reason, the community is asked to create a farmer group, then submit it to the Jambi Provincial Government.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Jambi Provincial Plantation Service, Agusrizal, said that for the PLTB Program in 2023, his party provided funds for a land area of 396 hectares where each farmer could only apply for two hectares.

"For farmer groups at least 10 people per group, at least it is proposed above 10 hectares so that it will be easier," he said.

For the budget provided in the PLTB Program, his party has budgeted around Rp. 200 million for 20 hectares of land.

As for the requirements for submitting the PLTB Program, he said, the land is not included in the forest area. The team from the Jambi Provincial Plantation Service will measure and first check the coordinates of the land in the field.

Then regarding the letter of land, it can be in the form of a Certificate of Ownership (SHM) or sporadic. So, he continued, owning land is unable to build it yourself so that it is assisted by the government. This PLTB program, apart from land clearing, because it also provides seeds and fertilizers for farmers.

"For seeds later depending on the community, the Jambi Provincial Government provides seeds with palm oil, rubber, and cinnamon, according to their suitable area," said Agusrizal.

Previously, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicted that the Jambi region would experience two dry seasons, making the province prone to forest and land fires.

Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati said Jambi, Riau and North Sumatra entered the first phase of the dry season in February 2023. The prediction of monthly rainfall is at less than 100 millimeters. "In February, the dry season will occur in Riau, parts of Jambi, and parts of North Sumatra. It is common in these areas to experience two dry seasons, meaning it is drier than other regions," Dwikorita said at a press conference in Jakarta, Friday, January 27.