When Reservoirs Guard Rice Fields and Citizens' Hopes

In Cangkorah Village, West Bandung Regency, Indonesia, farmers like Nunung Sumarni are battling the harsh realities of a prolonged dry season. With their fields classified as rain-fed, they depend heavily on rainfall, which has been scarce due to the El Niño phenomenon. Nunung, a 52-year-old farmer, is working extra hard to harvest her rice, planted three months ago, as some crops are ready while others remain green.

Her primary concern is the dwindling water supply from the Saguling Reservoir. While the reservoir has been instrumental in keeping her approximately 2,000-square-meter plot irrigated, its water level is now receding. "I was quite worried because of the weather. This can grow until harvest time because we use a hose, sucking water from the Saguling Reservoir. But now the water is starting to recede too," Nunung shared.

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I was quite worried because of the weather. This can grow until harvest time because we use a hose, sucking water from the Saguling Reservoir. But now the water is starting to recede too.

Nunung typically harvests 5 to 6 quintals of dry rice per season when conditions are good, earning around Rp 600,000 per quintal. This income is vital for her family's daily needs, including her children's school expenses. The threat of a shorter harvest due to the drought looms large for farmers who haven't yet planted.

The Saguling Reservoir's role extends beyond irrigation; it serves as a critical support system for the community. It provides essential water for agriculture, clean water for domestic use, and sustains fish farming operations, acting as a lifeline during dry spells when river flows diminish and water demand increases.

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If it's good, I can get 5-6 quintals, but if it's bad, at most 3-4 quintals. If the price is good, I can get Rp 600,000 per quintal.