Quick Action Cope Drought Lauded

Kupang (Antara Bali) - Agribusiness observer from the  University of  Nusa Cendana Leta Rafael Levis, M.Rur.Mnt, lauded the quick action taken by the central government in forestalling the impact of long drought hitting at least nine provinces of Indonesia.

"The attentions shown by the agriculture ministry and the National Disaster Controlling Agency (BNPB)  deserve high appreciation," Leta said here on Thursday.

He said BNPB has completed integrated action plan against the threat of  drought in Lampung, Banten, West Java, Central Java,  Yogyakarta, East Java , West  Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT),  and West Papua.

He said water tanks and water pumps were provided,  water wells  were dug and  artificially made rain was created to cope with shortage in water supply both for irrigation  and human consumption in the provinces.

Construction  and provision of the facilities  as labor intensive projects involved local people, the agriculture ministry , the public works ministry and the agency, he said.

Meanwhile, the agriculture ministry  has set aside Rp199 billion for the program  to cope with the drought threat all over the country.(IGT/T007)