Tale of Rice Field Under Nickel Siege

Amid a robust nickel mining industry, some local people hold fast to rice cultivation as their source of livelihood. Rice fields are where their hopes for sustenance rest.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

The remaining rice fields of the residents are on the border with the nickel processing industry or smelter in Paku Jaya Village, Bondoala, Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Thursday (30/3/2023).

Two-month-old paddy plants turned green across a stretch of cultivation land in Paku Jaya village, Bondoala district, Konawe regency, Southeast Sulawesi. It was Thursday (30/3/2023). Barefooted, Karmin (54) walked briskly down the field embankment.

At the end of the embankment, he stopped at an irrigation sluice. He opened it and water pounded out right away, sweeping away the stuck twigs and leaves.