Walhi Values ??the Step of the Minister of LHK Preventing Forest and Land Fire in Riau with the Modernization of Agriculture Not Right

News24xx.com - Wahana Lingkungan Hidup (Walhi) assesses the Minister's steps
The Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Siti Nurbaya for the modernization of agriculture as a means of preventing Forest and Environmental Fires (Karhutla) has not touched a substantial issue.

"Not optimal, not yet included in the main issue," said Walhi National Executive Study Manager, Boy Even Sembiring when contacted Riau1.com, Tuesday (08/13/2019).

Even explained, there are several conditions that must be done by the government if they really want to facilitate farmers around the forest with modern equipment.

"It must also be considered whether this is accepted by the community and how with the implications for their local wisdom practices," he said.

Even also emphasized, based on his study the root of the main problem that was published was not in accordance with the licensing criteria and neglected to aspects of carrying capacity and capacity.

"Licensing review should be the main way to stop forest and land fires, the second is criminal law enforcement, where corporations whose location of permits have been burned can be revoked immediately or at least downsized," he said.

As is known, Minister of LHK Siti Nurbaya said, together with the Ministry of Agriculture will modernize the agricultural sector. This is to eliminate the habits of the people, especially Riau Province, which always opens land by burning.

"The direction of the president is clear. So the president directs to be helped with agriculture (modernization of the agricultural sector)," he said.

The effort was made so that farmers no longer need to burn forests to start clearing land.

Modernization of agriculture is in the form of providing working tools, one of which is a tractor. From the two-wheeled to four wheels, water pumps, rice tranplanters, chopper, cultivators, excavators, hand sprayers, corn planting equipment, backhor loaders, rotatants, grain seeders, mist blowers, and weed stalkers.

It is expected that with a tractor, said Siti, farmers can open land without having to make a fire.

Meanwhile, for its own costs it is not yet known whether to use the current 2019 budget or 2020.