Guarding Water Sources, Farmers Are Ready to Plant in the Dry Season
In the field of the Jerusalem Farmer Group in South Central Timor, there is a small lake that is almost dry. For a long time, it has been the source of water for watering their crops. “The lake does look dry, but the water is still there,” said Melchizedek Salem, a representative from the farmer group.
Since early 2018, this group has set up a water reservoir around the lake by applying the 3M (mengisi, menyimpan, menggunakan) method introduced by YBTS - that is filling, storing, and using water. In the past, during the drought season that happens between July and August, the lake dried up. Nowadays, the reservoir can still provide the water needed for the crops. Since then, the farmers in the farmer group have developed and so does their farming business. The 3M is applied continuously, despite that the reservoir is still full, the group keeps making infiltration holes for filling the reservoir with water.
This group has plans to expand its fields. Melcidezek said, “We used to do farming traditionally, only one to two beds, maintenance was not optimal, and the yield was low. After getting assistance from YBTS, the yields are much better. Now we can plant tomatoes up to 1,000 trees.”
“We also hope that the government will support us in developing the farming business and the 3M activity. We hope that our 11 farmers can have their own farmland and the yields can be marketed outside the district. We are also hoping that YBTS will stay with us until our plans are realized,” said Melchizedek, full of hope