Indonesia announces irrigation funding and forest fire prevention measures

The North Sumatra Provincial Government has proposed a budget of Rp489 billion for 2026 to optimize 21 irrigation areas. This initiative aims to increase productive agricultural land by approximately 5,050 hectares, raising the total from 36,000 to 41,000 hectares. Currently, only about 30 percent of the province's 100,000-hectare irrigation potential is being utilized.

In Jambi, Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni announced plans to increase the number of hydrant wells to combat recurring forest and land fires in peatland areas. These wells, previously established through the Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM), serve as strategic water sources for firefighting. To further mitigate fire risks, the government has scheduled weather modification operations from August 27 to 30 and deployed 500 forestry personnel to the field.