Aceh Besar Regent Asks Central Government to Prioritize Post-Disaster Irrigation Recovery
Aceh Besar Regent H. Muharram Idris is asking the central government to pay more attention to recovering the agricultural sector, especially fixing irrigation networks damaged by disasters. He made the request during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Accelerating Post-Natural Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Aceh Province in 2026, held in Banda Aceh on Friday (8/7/2026).
He stressed that even though the disasters didn't wreck buildings or people's houses, the agricultural irrigation facilities took a hit. Aceh Besar has around 22,000 hectares of productive farmland, with 55 percent supported by irrigation and 45 percent still relying on rain. The damaged irrigation really messes with production, especially during the dry season.
The Aceh Besar district government has declared a drought alert status affecting over 2,000 hectares of rice fields in 19 sub-districts. They've been dealing with it by using water pump machines from the Sumatera I River Basin Office. Besides the drought, there's also a strong wind alert in effect, with 20 incidents recorded, including fallen trees and roof damage.
Syech Muharram also pointed out the high price of cement in Aceh, which is a hurdle in post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction.
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