Dewi Sri Suffers Due to Prolonged Drought

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

Cracked, dry earth lie exposed on 21 June 2019 in the terraced rice paddies of Rejosari village in Semin district, Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta. The records of the Gunung Kidul Agriculture and Food Agency show that 400 hectares of paddy fields had experienced crop failures due to sever drought.

In West Java, rice is synonymous with Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice and fertility. However, during the dry season, like what is taking place at present, the goddess, who has become the source of food for millions of people, is suffering due to lack of water.

In Cirebon, for example, rice stems are no longer green. They look reddish brown due to a lack of water. The brown rice grains are empty. The soil is cracked and many of the rice stems are wilting.