High Rainfall, Lebak Farmers Beware of Floods and Pest Attacks

Lebak - Farmers in Lebak Regency, Banten, have increased vigilance against the potential for flooding and crop pest attacks due to the high rainfall that has occurred in recent weeks.

The Chairman of the Farmer Group Alliance (Gapoktan) Suka Bungah Lebak Regency, Ruhiana, said that some of the rice fields in his area were starting to be affected by flooding. "Today we have rice fields in the area flooded with floods of five hectares of 150 hectares of crops," said Ruhiana in Lebak, Saturday.

He explained that the rice fields in Tambakbaya Village, Cibadak District, are included in the areas prone to flooding and pest attacks when the intensity of the rain increases. Currently, about five hectares of rice fields are flooded and have the potential to expand if heavy rain continues for a long time.

In addition to the risk of flooding, high rainfall is also considered to trigger the development of various pests and plant diseases. The humid temperature conditions make pests such as rats, wereng, walangsangit, and stem borers easier to develop. "Therefore, farmers here are ready to face attacks on plant diseases by providing pesticides," said Ruhiana.

To anticipate flooding, his party also prepared heavy equipment to normalize the water channel so that the flow remains smooth and puddles can be prevented.

Ruhiana added that the rice plants in the area had an average of about 70 days of planting. With this age, the plants are considered strong enough to face flood puddles for up to six days and are relatively more resistant to pest attacks. "We believe that rice plants can be harvested in February 2026, because it is certain that rainfall will decrease," he said.

The same thing was conveyed by the Chairman of the Central Farmers Group in Rangkasbitung, Lebak Regency, Udin. He said that farmers are currently on alert for possible floods and pest disturbances due to high rainfall. "We are now vigilant in facing the rainy season so that rice crops can be harvested," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Production Division of the Lebak Regency Agriculture Service, Deni Iskandar, said his party had prepared Plant Pest Control Officers (POPT) to anticipate pest attacks on rice plants. "We provide pesticides to spray, to save rice from crop pest attacks so that it can be harvested," he said.