Can Harvest Four Times A Year, SIG Irrigation Assistance Increases Agricultural Productivity In Tuban, East Java

Photo: Doc. Cement Indonesia Group (SIG)

JAKARTA - Restrictions on water sources have become a classic problem experienced by farmers in Kapu Village, Merakurak District, Tuban Regency, East Java.

Since the first, residents have relied on rain water to irrigate agricultural land so that harvest can only be done twice a year. Conditions changed after PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG) provided integrated agricultural irrigation assistance, which was able to meet the watering needs of 10 hectares of land and allowed farmers to harvest four times a year.

SIG Corporate Secretary, Vita Mahreyni said, SIG consistently creates a CSR program that touches the root of problems faced by the community, both in the social, economic, and environmental aspects, so that it is effective and has a sustainable impact. Such as limited water sources that affect harvest productivity, it can be overcome with the help of irrigation facilities in the form of making bore wells, installing water pumps, water reservoirs with a capacity of 1,000 liters and pipelines to flow water to agricultural land.

"This irrigation aid is effective in helping farmers meet land irrigation needs and increase agricultural productivity. Alhamdulillah, this program is also in line and supports Asta Cita Presiden Prabowo Subianto in the field of food security and water management to provide the maximum benefit for the community," said Vita Mahreyni, in her statement, Tuesday, June 3.

One farmer from Bororejo Hamlet, Dasran, said irrigation assistance from GIS had provided great benefits for the sustainability of his livelihood and his fellow farmers.

"In the past, people's agricultural land was rain, in one year the average harvest was only two times. However, currently, after agricultural irrigation, at least we can harvest up to 4 times a year," said Dasran.

More than that, Dasran admitted that his current economic condition is increasing. Sufficient water needs make the types of plants they plant more varied. Previously it was only corn and peanuts, now they plant agricultural land with various vegetables such as long beans, tomatoes, and chilies.

"This irrigation arena from GIS really helps us to increase our income," said Dasran.

The Head of Kapu Village, Darmu, explained that currently his village has two integrated agricultural irrigation facilities which are assistance from the CSR SIG Tuban Factory programs in 2022 and 2024. The existence of these two facilities has been utilized by around 25 farmers, and can meet the needs of land irrigation covering an area of 10 hectares. In addition to integrated agricultural irrigation assistance, Kapu Village also received other assistance, including strengthening MSMEs, backfiting land for sports facilities, and goat farming.

"We thank GIS for consistently helping local residents of the company to improve their quality of life, both in terms of economic, education, social, health and the environment. Hopefully, GIS will continue to grow and be more victorious, so that people can receive greater benefits," said Darmu.