Tips for Facing the Dry Season for Farmers

Right now, the season was already very unpredictable. Farmers are increasingly losing ways to keep their agricultural products profitable.

It is said that sometimes the rainy season does not even rain, while when it is felt that it has entered the dry season it turns out to be raining.

These things are beyond our control as humans. Climate change occurs due to various factors and has already occurred. It is very difficult to return it. This can be overcome by the ability of farmers as humans who are easily adaptable.

When there is no rain and causes drought, farmers must take various effective ways to deal with it. How to? Here's how to deal with drought in agriculture:

By Using “Pompanization and Pipanization”

First, you can use a pump or use a pipe. Pumps are used to take water from water sources around agricultural land where water can be taken. By using this water pump, even in the dry season you can still get water.

This pump is run by using an electric or diesel engine. to move the flow of water in rivers to agricultural land which may be located higher so that it cannot be drained manually.

The piping system must also be taken care of properly so that it can drain river water or distant lake water to be brought to your farm. Usually the use of this pipe is done collectively from many farmers.

The pump systems commonly used are PLN electric pumps and diesel pumps, but there are other pump systems that can also be used, namely solar water pumps. This pump uses solar panels that generate electricity from sunlight. So you don't have to buy fuel every day or pay electricity bills every month.

In addition to using pumps and pipes, you can also build reservoirs, which can be done using collective funds between farmers or using funds from the government. The government is currently also facilitating the construction of dams for the welfare of Indonesian farmers.

The principle of using this dam is to hold a very large amount of water when the rainy season arrives. So that rainwater is not wasted. Then, the water in the reservoir can be used by farmers during the dry season. To deal with drought, water from reservoirs can be channeled through small ditches or through pipes.

Carrying out Drilling Wells

Furthermore, to deal with drought, you can use borehole construction. These drilled wells can reach a depth of 100 meters or more and draw water from the ground naturally. However, to install it requires a fairly high cost, but for long-term and routine use, the high cost of this tool can be returned because the benefits you get are more.

You can use a pump to draw water from the ground to the surface. So of course you need electricity in it. But at this time not only by using PLN electricity, but there are pumps that use solar energy sources that are more efficient.

Participate in Rice Farm Insurance

Next, you must join an insurance program, namely Rice Farming Insurance or AUTP. By following this insurance, then if your harvest suffers a loss due to drought then you will get a guarantee. This is especially useful if the soil experiences frequent droughts. If your agricultural land is dry up to 70 percent then you will get compensation even up to 6 million per hectare.

Using Various Organic Methods and Avoiding the Use of Hazardous Chemicals

In addition, you also should not use various kinds of materials which are basically hazardous chemicals. This often happens because people often use pesticides and also use chemical fertilizers.

Therefore, replace fertilizers, pesticides, etc. with organic materials. Soil exposed to various types of hazardous materials will eventually lose organic matter so that the soil becomes weak and causes the soil to be unable to store rainwater.