Lombok, July 9^th 2021 – Before a series of earthquakes hit Indonesia’s Sembalun district in 2018, the mountainous region in Lombok Island was bustling with travelers seeking to enjoy the panoramic views of Mount Rinjani, an active volcano famed for its multi-color craters. 

As the quakes destroyed surrounding vital infrastructures, travelers with deep pockets have since stopped coming to the area, bringing much loss to the local tourism players. But the biggest losses have been experienced by the farming communities who lost their key source of income with the destruction of the irrigation system. 

Situated at the Mount Rinjani national park, Sembalun is blessed with fertile and productive land, thanks to the long-term effects of volcanic ash from past eruptions.

Now, following UNDP’s reconstruction of the vital irrigation systems, the community of over 5,000 families has since regained a foothold on its main livelihood, with many seeing a rise in income once again.  The irrigation system was one of many vital projects rebuilt under UNDP’s Programme for Earthquake and Tsunami Reconstruction Assistance (PETRA) which aims to rebuild quake-hit communities in Lombok and in Central Sulawesi, hit by a separate quake and a tsunami in 2018.  

Since its relaunch in 2021, the irrigational system in Lombok has watered 165-hectare farming plots and is useful during the second and third cropping season.  

“Limited water supplies meant we only had one harvest per year, but with the reconstruction of the irrigation system, we’re seeing up to three harvests now. Our incomes have increased significantly and we can take care of our families" said Ibu Sahnim, a tenant farmer.

The reconstruction of a 2,000 meter irrigational canal, a bridge and two water retention basins employed 188 local people, including 13 women in critical positions. With women playing a key role in the community’s livelihood, the reconstruction of the facilities also took into account the concerns and the needs of women in the area.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the area last year, development efforts were re-oriented to observe strict health protocols, ensuring the halt of the deadly virus. Mindful of the urgency of the irrigation system to the communities, the Project decided to press on with the reconstruction once the health protocols were established. 

Families in Sembalon were among Approximately 5,700 households benefitting from the four-year project,  backed by funding from the Government of Germany through its development bank, KfW.

“My garlic crops have done really well this year. Production has increased by 20 percent!,“ exclaimed Junaidi, a farmer in Sajang village.

In addition, the Belunak bridge has also been repaired and has helped the community transport their produce easily.

The East Lombok planning agency (BAPPEDA) helped identify the community’s more pressing needs.

“We will consolidate the budget in each related agency to support recovery of livelihoods initiated by UNDP’s PETRA project,” said Ibu Hj. Baiq Miftahul Wasli, the head of Bappeda East Lombok.  

The reconstruction of the irrigational facilities also eased communal tension as villagers had competed for clean water.

“There were frequent conflicts,” village resident Sriapna said. “We no longer fight since we have a well-functioning irrigation system that all farmers can use,” he continued.

PETRA’s reconstruction work has encouraged collaboration to scale up the project’s impact. Jakarta Ambassador Golf Association (JAGA) contributed IDR 540 million  to extend the reconstruction of 400-m tertiary irrigational canal Bawak Nao Daya, Sajang village and 200m Dayan Rurung Timuk, Sembalun Bumbung village.

These infrastructure were previously reconstructed partially through the PETRA project. Approximately 75 hectares of farmland will be watered and 250 farmer households will attain direct socio-economic benefits from the JAGA’s funded project. Participatory planning and consultation with local governments and local communities is  an ongoing process, facilitated by local implementing partner, Pusat Studi Pembangunan Nusa Tenggara Barat.

With lockdowns and travel restrictions, the pandemic has hit pause on the local tourism industry.  But as the country starts taking recovery steps, communities in Sembalun will be more than ready to welcome nature-loving travelers with the resumption of vital infrastructure support.

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Text by  Zaenudin Zein

Photos by Wigatiningsih

Edited by Tomi Soetjipto and Ranjit Jose