Agam Secures Major Boost for Post-Disaster Agricultural Recovery

RRI.COID, Agam - The recovery of farmland and food security has become the central focus in Agam Regency, West Sumatra, as the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture allocates IDR 28.3 billion (USD 1,68) to restore agricultural land and infrastructure damaged by hydrometeorological disasters in November 2025.

Agam Regent Benni Warlis announced the funding on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Lubuk Basung, describing it as the first stage of rehabilitation efforts this year. The allocation targets 16 subdistricts affected by flash floods, landslides, and river flooding, with 1,604 hectares of farmland slated for restoration.

“This is the initial phase of recovery for damaged farmland and infrastructure in 2026,” Benni said, noting that the budget was secured through intensive coordination between the local administration and the central government. He emphasized that agriculture remains the top priority in post-disaster recovery because of its direct link to food security and community livelihoods.

“We want to ensure that rice fields impacted by the disaster can return to productivity as soon as possible,” he added.

The restoration program includes clearing lands buried by landslide debris and repairing irrigation networks disrupted by the disaster. Benni expressed hope that farmer groups will maximize the use of the funds to revive productivity and stabilize the local economy.

The November 2025 disaster left vast stretches of farmland unusable, with irrigation systems broken and fields covered in sediment. The new funding marks a significant step toward rebuilding Agam’s agricultural backbone and ensuring that farming communities can recover their livelihoods. (Naura Sofia/Sri Wahyuni)