MaxFM, Waingapu – The Regent of East Sumba, Drs. Khristofel Praing, M.Si and the chairperson of the Family Welfare Development group of Sumba Timur (TP PKK), Merliaty Praing Simanjuntak were seen to accompany farmers at Kampung Tanambi, RT 07, RW 04, Desa Mbatakapidu harvesting their crops. It was found that on Saturday (06/11/2021), the group joined the farmers at Tanambi of Mbatakapidu village to harvest organically grown lokananta shallots.

The regent came to visit the farmers without the fuss of the official protocol system. Unescorted by his official aids, Kristofel was seen driving his car together with the chairperson of the Family Welfare Development group of East Sumba.

Spotted at the location were the chief of the working group (Pokja) III and some members of TP PKK. The group was welcomed by local farmers and the chief of neighborhoods association (RT), Oktovianus Bessie. Also joining them were Heinrich Dominggus Dengi, the Director of the Foundation of Radio Community MaxFm Waingapu (YKRMW), and some of the foundation administrators.

Kristofel’s visit also aimed to check the water pump installed along the stream at Mbatakapidu River. Owned by the YKRMW, the Barsha pump waters around one hectare of land planted with shallots.

Barsha pump is a product from the Netherland that uses waterwheel to pump water to higher elevation. Instead of using fuel, the pump uses kinetic energy from the waterwheel. Users need to install the pump at around 1.5 meter and 0.5 meter depth waterway to move the pump’s fan. The water is then pumped to farmlands along the watershed.

“For this area [Tanambi], the pump can bring 25 thousand liters daily. To do so, we don’t need fuel,” said the Director of YKRMW, Heinrich Dominggus Dengi.

The director, who was the Head of Regional Secretariat Organization (Setda) of East Sumba, explained further what his foundation has achieved to help local farmers. He mentioned that YKRM, together with the farmers at Tanambi, has set a good example of a farming technique for other farmlands. Because of that reason, he said that using the Barsha pump, the government is ready to replicate their agriculture model to other farmlands located along the watersheds.

“I have instructed the regional development agency (Bappeda), Department of Agriculture (Dinas Pertanian), and the Village Community Empowerment Office (Dinas PMD) to provide easy access to the community in 2022,” he said.

He said that water is an essential need for living, so residents have a right to its access. Further, he said that people need water not only for drinking but also for agricultural needs. In other words, water is a vital need not only for sanitation, but it is required to cultivate the lands.

“If we can work hard together, we will get out of poverty,” Heinrich said.

Heinrich believes that there are ways to provide the community with water. He said that today’s innovation will allow people to have eco-friendly technology such as hydrant pumps, solar panels, and Barsha pumps.

“Among various options, we only need to adapt which technology will best suit our needs to cultivate the land,” he said.

The chairperson of the Family Welfare Development group of Sumba Timur (TP PKK), Merliaty Praing Simanjuntak, is aware that impoverishment has become a major problem in East Sumba. Therefore, seeing the achievement of YKRMW with local farmers, she is convinced that East Sumba will strive against poverty.

“This shows the wonder of God. Also, it shows how our farmers’ hard work and endurance to make use of the water. I believe that if more farmers do similar action, we will combat the poverty in our land,” she said.

Local farmer, Marinus P. M. Anding, said that he is delighted to have the visit from the regent and the TP PKK chairperson during the harvest. Not to mention that he gained a large amount of money from their purchase.

“I thank YKRMW for their continuous support to us since the beginning. Also, to the regent and the first lady for visiting and joining us during the harvest. Thank you for showing your appreciation for our gardening efforts,” he said. [Translator : Itha Priyastiti]