Minister of Agriculture: Rice Fields Flooding in Wajo Insured

INDUSTRY.co.id - Makassar - Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman mentioned flooding caused by the overflow of Lake Tempe in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi, which had an impact on paddy fields have been insured.

"We do not know the losses, it is clear that the floods have been insured, replaced by insurance because we budget it, this is history in agriculture," he said after the signing of MoU with Chairman of Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) KH Ma'ruf Amir in Makassar on Saturday 28/7/2018).

According to him in the history of agriculture there is no insurance for rice fields, so this is what the government in anticipating addressing the issue of agriculture.

"It never existed before, has insured a million hectares throughout Indonesia flood-prone areas," he explained.

Regarding the conditions in the area exposed to the lavaapan Tempe Lake Wajo District, he called his side have made field visits to see first-hand the impact of the flood.

"We from there directly provide seeds and fertilizer assistance, for those who are affected by the floods, we have gone there quickly as per presidential order," he said.

In addition, he said the Ministry of Agriculture has channelled the aid not only seeds and fertilizers but also heavy equipment to dredge the sedimentation of the soil to reduce the impact of flooding.

"We give big excavators in order to dig the sediment of the land there to reduce the flood, then tractor, hand tractor we also share for free," he added.