Minister PU Says Bulango Ulu Dam Supports National Food Self-sufficiency

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo revealed the Bendungan Bulango Ulu project in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province, to support national food self-sufficiency.

He said the construction of water management infrastructure was part of the government's efforts to ensure the availability of irrigation water on an ongoing basis to increase agricultural land productivity and improve the welfare of farmers in Gorontalo.

"The presence of this infrastructure is very important to support the availability of agricultural irrigation water, maintain land productivity, and ensure that food supplies are maintained even in the face of drought or climate change challenges," said Dody, quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, June 28.

The PU Ministry continues to accelerate the construction of the Bulango Ulu Dam. Until June 2026, the physical progress of the construction of the dam, which has a water holding capacity of up to 93.75 million cubic meters, has reached 94.99 percent.

The dam, which is a National Strategic Project (PSN), is projected to be able to increase the crop index (IP) from 250 to 300.

This means that farmers have the potential to carry out almost three times the planting period in a year. The productivity of land, which currently ranges from 3-3.5 tons per hectare, is also expected to jump to 7-9 tons per hectare.

Dody said that water is a resource that cannot be created but can only be optimally managed.

Therefore, effective water management is one of the important variables in boosting agricultural productivity to achieve the food self-sufficiency target, as stated in the Presidential Government's Asta Cita.

In addition to providing raw water of 2,200 liters per second, said Dody, the Bulango Ulu Dam will irrigate agricultural land through irrigation of 4,950 hectares and help control the potential for flooding in the area of up to 43 percent or 629 hectares.

Not only that, this dam will also generate clean energy through a 4.96 megawatt Microhydro Power Plant (PLTMH) and a 80 megawatt Solar Power Plant (PLTS) potential, as well as opening up opportunities for the development of a new tourism sector in the dam area.

With its wide benefits, the Bulango Ulu Dam is believed to be one of the key infrastructure that supports the target of food self-sufficiency while also encouraging Gorontalo's economic growth in the long term.