Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT in Sumba.         

After Soraja storm hit Sumba in 2021, most farmers switched their professions as formerly they were rice farmers with monoculture system, then they were forced to grow corn and horticultural crops. It must be admitted that the farmers tend to have instant mentality with abundant water and normal irrigation, but in this condition, they had to work hard to find water sources to keep their plants alive. The dam construction process keeps going and it is nearly finished, only the irrigation needs to be dredged off mud.

In August 2021, the millennial farmer group with the Field Coordinator from PT. East-West seed Indonesia (Elias Taemnanu) held an audience with the regent of East Sumba about the support of drip irrigation and large tractor facilities for farmers who were affected by the Soraja Storm. The support was realized at the end of August 2021 and the lands of the young farmer were plowed by two large tractors, while the drip irrigation support was realized in March 2022. Then, the young farmers started to use a new watering system, namely simple drip irrigation, which can save time, effort, and cost. Other advantages of this irrigation system are watering right on the stem of the plant, suppressing weed growth, and fitting the amount of water according to the plants’ needs.

On the symbolic harvest of Gustavo F1 tomatoes (09/03/2021) in Stefanus’ fields, the Regent of East Sumba consistently supports farmers to meet the food needs in East Sumba. The Millennial farmers will also continue to carry out agricultural activities to improve the household economy and consumption and supply the food demands of East Sumba.***