From Waste to Blessing: The Resilience of Simpang Sugiran Village Facing Agricultural and Environmental Challenges
Simpang Sugiran, West Sumatra – The erosion of the Pasia Riverbed has jeopardized the productivity of roughly 50 hectares of rice fields in Jorong Boncah, Simpang Sugiran Village, Guguak District, Limapuluh Kota Regency. Over recent years, farmers have witnessed declining yields, with once-fertile paddies now struggling to produce rice.
The problem traces back to illegal sand mining activities, where unscrupulous individuals used suction pumps to extract river sand. This not only damaged the riverbed but also caused severe destruction in the area, including the collapse of the Tuak Amat Bridge and extensive damage to farmland in 2020. Although the local government repaired the bridge that same year, the environmental crisis remains unresolved.
In response, the residents of Jorong Boncah have taken matters into their own hands. Through creativity and community solidarity, they constructed makeshift embankments from used tires and old sacks—a simple yet impactful measure to prevent further erosion and improve access to their fields.
According to community leader Teldi Datuk Paduko Rajo, many farmers have shifted from cultivating rice to planting secondary crops. However, the yields are barely enough for household consumption, falling far short of the village’s former rice production, particularly during prolonged dry seasons.
The economic toll is significant. It is estimated that the community has lost up to 75 tons of unhusked rice annually, calculated from three missed harvests of around 25 tons each. Around 200 households depend on this land for their livelihoods, making the situation increasingly urgent.
Residents now hope for concrete action from local authorities—from the village administration to the Water Resources and Agriculture Offices—to restore the river and rehabilitate the agricultural land. “We have done what we can. Now, we are ready to work together with the government to rebuild Simpang Sugiran,” said Teldi Datuk Paduko Rajo.
You must be logged in to post a comment.