IPHA Becomes The Government's Mainstay Step To Achieve Food Swasembada Targets

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) encourages cross-sectoral collaboration in implementing Irrigation Padi Hemat Air (IPHA) technology to increase national rice production.

PU Minister Dody Hanggodo emphasized that this initiative was part of real support for the food self-sufficiency program launched by President Prabowo Subianto.

"We continue to encourage the integration of various sectors to ensure optimal and efficient irrigation infrastructure. Through the application of IPHA technology, we hope that national rice productivity will increase significantly," said Dody in a written statement, Saturday, April 19.

In this case, the Ministry of Public Works involves the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan), the Indonesian Army, local governments (Pemda) and farmer groups in the implementation of IPHA. According to Dody, synergy between agencies is the key in optimizing the use of water while increasing agricultural products.

As a pilot area, the Irrigation Region (DI) of Rentang which includes Indramayu, Cirebon and Majalengka regencies was chosen because it is one of the national rice production centers with a large irrigation network.

It is known that the Cimanuk River Basin Center (BBWS) Cisanggarung, Directorate General of Water Resources, Ministry of Public Works, has taken various steps to optimize in the Range, such as rehabilitation of irrigation canals, repairing water gates and optimizing the Range Dam. This effort has proven to be effective in supporting water-efficient irrigation patterns.

Head of BBWS Cimanuk Cisanggung Dwi Agus Kuncoro explained, IPHA applies the later irrigation method (intermitt irrigation), which can save up to 30 percent of water without reducing plant productivity.

"In the implementation of IPHA, we are responsible for regulating water distribution according to the needs of the planting period, including regulation of floodgates, irrigation schedules and monitoring of channel conditions. We also continue to coordinate intensively with field officers and farmer groups to achieve maximum results," he explained.

To support this system, the Ministry of Public Works is also developing a digital-based water management information system. This technology allows farmers and field officers to access data on irrigation schedules, volume of water discharge to early warnings of drought quickly and accurately.

As a form of socialization and collaboration, the Ministry of Public Works will also hold a demonstration and exhibition on IPHA technology-based harvests in the Range on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Panen will be carried out in three of the 208 IPHA demplots that have been developed in the area.

Of the 208 demplots, 18 demplots have been harvested with results claimed to be far above the conventional average rice productivity.

It is hoped that cross-sectoral collaboration in the IPHA program will accelerate the achievement of food self-sufficiency targets and provide tangible benefits for the welfare of farmers in Indonesia.