Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - Three sub-districts in East Flores District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, are experiencing crop failure due to a prolonged drought in the area, local Agriculture Office Chief Anton Sogen stated.

"The three sub-districts in East Flores are Ile Boleng, Wotan Ulumado, and Demon Pagong, in addition to the villages of Baleweling, Nusadani, and Daniwato on Solor Island," Sogen informed ANTARA here on Monday.

Sogen claimed to have monitored the actual conditions in those drought-hit villages and had found that almost all the crops there, including both maize and rice, had dried.

"I monitored several villages a month ago, and I saw that the agriculture was in a very worrisome state," Sogen remarked.

However, Sogen revealed he had coordinated with relevant agencies, such as the Marine and Fisheries Department, Public Works Department, and the Department of Social Affairs to find a way out, so that the problem can be resolved.

"We are also working closely with the district and village heads to assess the condition of the farmers who had experienced a crop failure, so that assistance can later be provided in the form of rice aid for the short term, and in the medium term, we will provide seeds to them for the next planting season," he explained.

He added that in the Wotan Ulumado Sub-district, the agricultural conditions were in an alarming state as all corn crops had dried and not borne fruit due to uneven rainfall.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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