503 Hectares Of Farmers' Land In Malacca NTT Affected By Floods

Archives - Corn plants belonging to residents that were flooded in Central Malacca, Malacca Regency, NTT, Monday (11/3/2024). ANTARA/HO-Dinas Agricultural Malacca

KUPANG - The Agriculture Service of Malacca Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) noted that 503.35 hectares of agricultural land was affected by floods due to extreme weather from March 8 to 14.

"We have reported the condition of the land and affected farmers to the leadership for follow-up with disaster emergency assistance and seed assistance," said Head of the Malacca Regency Agriculture Service, Janura Maria Seran, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, March 19.

Based on temporary data collection as of today, agricultural land owned by residents affected by flooding covering an area of 503.35 hectares is divided into 46.9 hectares of rice farming, 449.85 hectares of corn, and 6.6 hectares of horticultural land.

Janua explained that his party was still monitoring post-flood plants to find out the damage to plants.

He said the plant could only be categorized as puso or crop failure or not after one week of observation. Puso is a state of crop damage or plant parts due to flooding, drought, or pest attacks.

In addition to collecting data on the area of the affected land, his party also collected data on affected farmers.

From temporary data, the number of farmers affected by the flood was 648 people spread across the sub-districts of Central Malacca, West Malacca, and Weliman.

Data collection results in nine affected villages in the three sub-districts have been reported to regional leaders.

The Malacca Regency Agriculture Service has also carried out further coordination at the provincial and central levels related to assistance for farmers affected by the disaster.

His party has received assistance with rice seeds and green beans so that farmers can plant in the second Plant Season or the April-August period later.

Furthermore, field extension workers also continue to monitor and educate farmers so that they have disaster mitigation capabilities so that they do not have an impact on food security for farmers and all communities.

"We have written to the Head of the National Food Agency regarding the disaster situation in Malacca to be followed up with the government's food assistance from Bulog and are still waiting for a decision," he said.