Bireuen – detikperistiwa.co.id
Relawan Peduli Rakyat Lintas Batas (RPRLB) (“Volunteers Caring for People Across Borders”), together with farmers in Jangka District, Bireuen Regency, Aceh, has appealed to humanitarian organisations and agricultural partners in the United States for assistance in providing quality maize seed to help restore agricultural production following recent floods.
The appeal was submitted through the International Channel Foundation after, according to RPRLB, local farmers were unable to obtain the maize seed they urgently needed to resume planting.
Arizal Mahdi, Founder and Chairman of RPRLB, said that approximately two months ago he met with the Head of the Bireuen Agriculture Office to request maize seed assistance for farmers whose livelihoods had been severely affected by the floods.
According to Arizal, the Head of the Agriculture Office informed him during the meeting that no maize seed stocks were available for distribution to farmers in Jangka District at that time.
“We were informed that maize seed was unavailable, while local farmers urgently needed it to resume cultivation after the floods. We therefore decided to seek alternative solutions to avoid further delays to the planting season,” Arizal said.
He explained that the shortage of maize seed could significantly slow the economic recovery of local communities, as agriculture remains the primary source of income for many families in Jangka District.
In response, RPRLB, together with representatives of the farming community, submitted a formal appeal through the International Channel Foundation to humanitarian organisations, charitable foundations, agricultural institutions, and potential donors in the United States, seeking support to provide quality maize seed for flood-affected farmers.
Arizal emphasised that the initiative was not intended to replace or diminish the role of the local government. Rather, its purpose was to ensure that farmers could gain timely access to quality seed and return to cultivating their land without unnecessary delay.
“Our mission is not to advance the interests of our organisation. We are seeking support so that farmers can restore agricultural production, strengthen food security, and rebuild their livelihoods after the floods,” he said.
RPRLB also called upon the Bireuen Agriculture Office to provide clarification regarding the availability of maize seed stocks, the distribution mechanism, and the measures being taken to support flood-affected farmers in Jangka District.
As of the time of publication, the Bireuen Agriculture Office had not issued an official response to the statements made by RPRLB. This publication remains open to publishing any clarification or right of reply from the Office in accordance with Indonesia’s Press Law No. 40 of 1999.
For the farmers of Jangka District, access to quality maize seed remains an urgent priority in restoring agricultural production, strengthening food security, and accelerating post-flood recovery.
Through the International Channel Foundation, RPRLB hopes to establish long-term partnerships with humanitarian organisations, agricultural institutions, charitable foundations, and private donors in the United States and other countries who share a commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural recovery and improving the livelihoods of farming communities in Aceh.
