After The Lumajang East Java Flood, Agricultural Infrastructure Handling Is A Priority For Local Governments

One of the agricultural lands damaged by the cold lava flood of Mount Semeru in Lumajang. (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Lumajang)

Acting (Pj) Regent of Lumajang Indah Wahyuni said handling agricultural infrastructure is a top priority after the cold lava flood of Mount Semeru and landslides in Lumajang Regency, East Java (East Java).

"The handling of agricultural infrastructure, especially irrigation channels, is the main focus in efforts to recover," he said in a written statement, Sunday, April 28, which was confiscated by Antara.

Based on data released by the Department of Food Security and Agriculture of Lumajang Regency, 75 hectares of food crop land were reported to have failed to harvest, while 31 hectares of horticultural plants were damaged by the flood.

"We have coordinated to overcome the impact of the damage which is very detrimental to farmers, especially those whose crops are approaching the harvest period," he said.

He hopes that he can handle all these problems, especially the agricultural sector, not only regarding infrastructure damage, but also plants in the affected rice fields that will be well coordinated.

In addition, he continued, to anticipate water difficulties in the following planting season, Acting Regent Lumajang also asked the ranks of Water Resources (SDA) of the Lumajang Regency Public Works and Spatial Planning Office to prioritize repair of irrigation canals.

"The harvest season in Lumajang should be a time of joy. For the Public Works Department, I emphasize the importance of improving irrigation infrastructure so as not to cause water difficulties in the upcoming dry season," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Department of Food Security and Agriculture of Lumajang Regency Hairil Diani said that his party had coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Lumajang Regency Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUTR) Team to handle and repair agricultural infrastructure damaged by floods.

"We are coordinating intensively with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Lumajang Regency PUTR Service Team for the handling and improvement of agricultural infrastructure affected by the cold lava flood of Mount Semeru," he said.

According to him, these steps are expected to help restore the agricultural sector in Lumajang after the cold lava flood disaster, as well as ensure the welfare of farmers and regional food security is maintained.

Cold lava floods at the foot of Mount Semeru Lumajang occurred on Thursday, April 18, hitting several villages spread across nine sub-districts and destroying infrastructure such as bridges, roads or several public facilities.