TANAH DATAR - One year after flash floods and cold lava flows devastated parts of West Sumatra, recovery efforts continue in Tanah Datar Regency. As part of its commitment to community resilience, MNC Peduli has distributed agricultural equipment to farming groups in the affected areas.

The handover ceremony took place at the Pandai Sikek Village Office in X Koto District, Tanah Datar. Located between Mount Marapi and Mount Singgalang, Pandai Sikek is known for its traditional weaving and carving industries. Most residents rely on farming for their livelihoods.

The mid-2024 floods caused extensive damage to agricultural lands, infrastructure, and local livelihoods. Prolonged submersion of farmland led not only to the destruction of crops but also to increased vulnerability to pests and plant diseases, leaving many farmers without a harvest.

In response, MNC Peduli distributed hand tractors, cultivators, irrigation pumps, water pipes, and pest control equipment to farming groups across three of the hardest-hit villages: Pandai Sikek, Paninjauan, and Saruaso.

Syafril Nasution, Deputy Chairman of MNC Peduli, emphasized the importance of these contributions.
"We are providing hand tractors for both wet and dry land, along with irrigation equipment, health supplies for several community clinics, and food aid. While this assistance cannot replace what was lost, we hope it can ease the burden on the people of Tanah Datar. We are supporting three villages—Pandai Sikek, Saruaso, and Paninjauan—and we hope that MNC Peduli’s contribution will bring real benefits to the community," Syafril said on Friday (April 25, 2025).

Elizar, Regional Secretary of Tanah Datar Regency, expressed heartfelt gratitude to MNC Peduli.
"On behalf of the Tanah Datar government, we extend our deepest thanks to MNC Peduli. As we know, in 2024, Tanah Datar was hit hard by flash floods that severely impacted many rice fields and farmlands. With this assistance, we hope our community can recover and rebuild. We also believe the support provided by MNC Peduli will be truly beneficial to our people," Elizar stated.

He further explained that rehabilitation efforts are ongoing. "Of the 412 hectares of damaged rice fields, 335 hectares have been rehabilitated with assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture," he added.
In addition, relocation programs have been implemented for displaced residents, with 60 families relocated through government housing programs and 160 families opting for self-managed relocation.

Sri Mulyani, Head of the Tanah Datar Agriculture Office, along with representatives from farmer groups, including Adi Purnomo, also expressed appreciation. They voiced hopes that the donated equipment would accelerate the recovery of the agricultural sector and strengthen food security in the region.

This initiative underscores MNC Peduli’s ongoing commitment to disaster recovery, rural development, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture in communities facing adversity.