Minister Of PUPR Basuki: Cipanas Dam Is Able To Improve Agriculture Productivity

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono said the Cipanas Dam in Sumedang and Indramayu Regencies, West Java (West Java), could increase agricultural productivity.

Basuki said, in terms of increasing agricultural productivity, there is currently a functional irrigation area of 6,473 hectares, through the Kalianyar Dam and Sumurwatu Dam.

"With the Cipanas Dam, there will be a potential irrigation network of 2,800 ha, a total of 9,273 hectares and can increase the planting pattern from 120 percent to 240 percent. The increase is about 2 times to 2.5 times planting, so that it can increase agricultural productivity," Basuki said in an official statement, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, July 10.

The Cipanas Dam, which is included in the National Strategic Project (PSN), is administratively located in Ujungjaya District, Sumedang Regency and Terisi District, Indramayu Regency, West Java.

Director General (Dirjen) of Water Resources Bob Arthur Lombgia added, the Cipanas Dam was built from 2016 and completed in 2023 with a capacity of 250.8 million cubic meters and a budget of IDR 2 trillion.

The Cipanas Dam can meet the raw water needs of 850 liters per second. It is divided into 650 liters per second in Sumedang Regency and 200 liters in Indramayu Regency per second," said Bob.

In addition, the Cipanas Dam is also useful in reducing floods of 701 hectares in Lohsararang and Cantigi Districts, as well as the potential for microhydro power plants of 3 megawatts.

Vice President (Wapres) KH Ma'ruf Amin inaugurated the Cipanas Dam on Tuesday (9/7).

Vice President Ma'ruf said the existence of dams has a strategic role in supporting human life and the economy. Not only as a source of raw water, but also an important role in food and energy security.

Dams increase agricultural production and ultimately have an impact on the welfare of farmers. In the past 10 years, 43 dams have been built and more than 1 million hectares of irrigation networks have been built.

The Cipanas Dam will provide functions to meet community needs, such as irrigation sources, raw water and power plants and will increase planting intensity and productivity of agricultural land.

Vice President Ma'ruf advised, to ensure the use of the Cipanas Dam can be felt by the surrounding community, such as Sumedang and Indramayu Regencies. And also in support of agricultural productivity, industry and fulfillment of clean water as well as reducing the impact of flooding.