Hero of the Drylands

Kompas/Khaerul Anwar

Saprudin

In the hands of Saprudin, 39, dry earth can magically transform back into fertile farmlands. The struggle of the Ekas Buana villager in Jerowaru district, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, has motivated other farmers in the area to make their rupiahs from the arid land.

“I want to be a farmer here, but I need to live here permanently so I can focus on working the land,” said Saprudin in early August. He is a newcomer to Ekas Buana village from Pejaring village in West Sakra district, East Lombok.