Pandeglang drought impacts 300 hectares of farmland and water supply

A prolonged drought in the Pandeglang Regency of Banten province has caused significant agricultural and domestic water shortages. Approximately 300 hectares of rice fields have been severely impacted, prompting the local Department of Agriculture and Food Security (DPKP) to begin identifying priority areas for groundwater assistance programs.

To ensure transparency, the DPKP requires that farmers receiving aid must be members of official farmer groups registered in the Agricultural Extension Management Information System (Simluhtan). Some farmers have expressed concerns regarding high fertilizer costs due to their lack of official registration.

In addition to agricultural damage, the drought has created a clean water crisis for residents. In the Cikeusik district, the Koramil 0116/Cikeusik military unit distributed 20,000 liters of clean water to residents in the villages of Sukasenang, Rancaseneng, and Sumur Batu to alleviate the shortage.