RRI.CO.ID, Banda Aceh - The Ministry of Agriculture has launched a large-scale rehabilitation project to restore 1,093 hectares of rice fields in North Aceh following devastating floods and landslides. This strategic move aims to jumpstart the local economy by returning vital agricultural land to production, providing a lifeline for thousands of families whose livelihoods were buried under mud and debris.

The restoration project serves as a critical pillar for both community welfare and regional food security. "The rehabilitation of rice fields by the Ministry of Agriculture is an integral part of the economic recovery for disaster-affected communities and a vital component in maintaining food security," said Head of the North Aceh Agriculture and Food Agency, Erwandi, during a briefing in Banda Aceh on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

This initial phase of intervention targets farmlands across the subdistricts of Sawang, Muara Baru, Dewantara, and Langkahan. The urgency of the project stems from the scale of the destruction caused by the late November disasters, which impacted 18,316 hectares, approximately 46 percent, of North Aceh’s total 39,762 hectares of raw rice fields.

As reported by Antara, data indicates that 4,679 hectares suffered severe damage, while 6,447 hectares and 7,189 hectares were classified as moderately and lightly damaged, respectively.

Restoration efforts are being integrated into a broader post-disaster reconstruction plan, with funding secured through the State Budget (APBN) via the relevant ministries. Local leadership is actively pushing for a comprehensive recovery to ensure no farmer is left behind.

"The Regent continues to strive so that all disaster-affected rice fields belonging to the community can be fully rehabilitated. This effort will allow residents to return to farming and ensure a swift recovery for the local economy," added Erwandi.

Local authorities believe that repairing these fields is the most direct path to economic stability, given that the majority of the population relies on agriculture. By prioritizing the restoration of these lands, the government is not only reviving individual incomes but also reinforcing the agricultural backbone of the province against future food shortages. ***