Kupastuntas.co, Bandar Lampung - The Provincial Government of Lampung continues to coordinate with district/city governments to monitor the potential for drought to occur on productive agricultural land, especially rice fields.

acting Head of the Lampung Province Food Crops and Horticulture Service Office, Kusnardi said, one of the efforts being made is to ensure that the distribution of water to farmers remains evenly distributed.

"At the provincial level, we have the Water Resources Management Office. They will definitely carry out water procurement in areas prone to drought," said Kusnardi, when questioned, Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

Currently, there are several dams that continue to maintain water discharge to a safe level. So that the water that is distributed to the channels in the flowed area can reach the downstream.

"Dams are also one of the steps to procuring water sources, especially for farmers. Where are the dams that are already operating, such as the Way Sekampung Dam, Batu Tegi Dam and there are still a few," he continued.

He revealed, farmers must know the quota of water usage. In addition, farmers also have to start anticipating when the dry season arrives.

"We will also see what the water allotment is like, how much is needed to be clear and measurable. Farmers actually don't need their fields to be flooded, as long as they are regularly irrigated, it's good enough," he explained.

According to Kusnardi, in 2022 none of the farmers in Lampung Province experienced drought which caused crop failure.

"In 2022, in Lalina, there was no drought. In 2023, the main harvest is usually from February to May, while the dry season usually occurs later in July," he said.

Deputy Chairman of Commission II DPRD Lampung Province, I Made Bagiasa explained, the presence of water is really needed, especially for farmers who work on the fields.

"Of course this water is really needed, don't let there be a drought then all the plants die. This can definitely hamper the increase in rice production in Lampung," he said.

Therefore, he hopes that the Lampung Provincial Government will anticipate all possibilities that may occur, one of which is by providing the assistance of a water suction device.

"So if at any time the tools are needed, they are there. Our hope is that there will not be a drought, but yesterday there were reports of dry rice fields," he said. (*)