The Ministry Of Public Works Targets 15 Dams And Irrigations To Operate Before 2029

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) targets 15 dams that are in the construction stage and their irrigation networks can be completed before 2029. The existence of the irrigation route is expected to boost productivity and the welfare of farmers.

PU Minister Dody Hanggodo emphasized the importance of integration of dam and irrigation construction.

"The construction of the dam must be accompanied by the construction of connectivity channels and rehabilitation of irrigation networks. With the irrigation supply continuing, it is hoped that water can flow to the fields. So that farmer productivity also increases, farmers are more prosperous," said Dody in his official statement, written Tuesday, September 30.

A total of 15 dams are projected to irrigate an irrigation area of 184,515 hectares. With reliable water supply, the planting area is estimated to increase from 277,775 hectares to 483,163 hectares.

The availability of irrigation water from the 15 dams will also change the planting pattern of farmers who previously depended on rain, so that the Plantation Index (IP) rose from 150 percent to 262 percent.

This means that the harvest scale, which usually increases once a year, to 2-3 times a year. As a result, harvest productivity is projected to increase from 1,403,300 tons/ha to 2,343,289 tons/ha.

The dam construction is part of an effort to realize food self-sufficiency, which is included in President Prabowo Subianto's Astacita.

As for the 2015-2024 period, the government has completed 53 dams. The existence of these dams has been used to irrigate 310,170 hectares of agricultural land through 67 Irrigation Areas (DI).

With the integration of dams and irrigation networks, it is hoped that farmers will no longer depend on rain. The availability of sustainable water will encourage increased planting intensity and ultimately strengthen national food security while at the same time supporting the welfare of farmers.