Farmers in Gumukmas Jember Overwhelmed by Rat Pest Attacks
The agricultural sector in South Jember, especially Gumukmas District, is facing a serious threat from rat pest attacks. Hundreds of hectares of rice and corn fields are heavily damaged, with dozens of hectares of crops able to be destroyed overnight. The worst conditions are in Gumukmas Village, where farmers admit they have run out of ways to control the exploding rat population.
A corn farmer, Agus (45), revealed huge losses because his already growing corn plants were eaten up by rats in a single night. DPP Gumukmas coordinator Moerdoso stressed the importance of farmer solidarity in handling the pests, recommending the use of poison bait, cooperative nest destruction, and smoking out rat holes. He has submitted a request for pest control chemicals to the PPHP of Jember Regency.
Community figure Moh Subur considers this year's attack to be abnormal and a blow to residents' economy. He warned that without emergency action, the damage occurring right before harvest could ruin farmers' welfare and threaten regional food security.
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