Mamuju, W Sulawesi (ANTARA Sulsel) - Farmers in the district of Mamuju, West Sulawesi, have asked the central government for assistance in rice seeds that could go through lengthy drought.
Head of the food crop and horticulture production division at the Mamuju agriculture and animal husbandry office Sofyan said local farmers needs rice seeds that could grow well in dry season.
The district has not enough fund to buy seeds that are more resistant to drought, Sofyan said, adding the district is facing the threat of lengthy drought that is feared to cause harvest failure.
He said information from the Meteorology and Geophysics office said that the present drought would last until next planting season.
The district administration had to take all precautionary steps to help the farmer to go through the protracted drought, he said.
Water pumps have been distributed among the farmers with rain fed rice fields in a number of sub-district areas in Mamuju, he said.
Ther district administration has told local farmers to grow second crops such as corn and soybean that could better stand dry season.
Weather phenomenon El Nino has brought about drought to wide areas in the country and crop failure has been reported in a number of areas.
Head of the food crop and horticulture production division at the Mamuju agriculture and animal husbandry office Sofyan said local farmers needs rice seeds that could grow well in dry season.
The district has not enough fund to buy seeds that are more resistant to drought, Sofyan said, adding the district is facing the threat of lengthy drought that is feared to cause harvest failure.
He said information from the Meteorology and Geophysics office said that the present drought would last until next planting season.
The district administration had to take all precautionary steps to help the farmer to go through the protracted drought, he said.
Water pumps have been distributed among the farmers with rain fed rice fields in a number of sub-district areas in Mamuju, he said.
Ther district administration has told local farmers to grow second crops such as corn and soybean that could better stand dry season.
Weather phenomenon El Nino has brought about drought to wide areas in the country and crop failure has been reported in a number of areas.