Two Irrigation Networks In East Halmahera Improved, Realizing Food Self-Sufficiency

Irrigation Network Of Akedaga Region Irrigation (DI) Akedaga 'Tutiling' Meja In East Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province. Photo: Doc. Ministry Of Public Works

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) continues to support increasing agricultural productivity and realizing food self-sufficiency as stated by President Prabowo Subianto.

One of these supports was by rehabilitating the Irrigation Network of Akedaga Region Irrigation (DI) Akedaga Tutiling Meja in East Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province.

PU Minister Dody Hanggodo said his party would rehabilitate Akedaga and Opiyan Irrigation Networks for 5.7 kilometers (km).

"With the rehabilitation of this irrigation network, the availability of water to irrigate rice fields can be guaranteed, thereby increasing the productivity of rice planting," said Dody as quoted from his written statement, Monday, September 1.

The rehabilitation of the Akedaga Irrigation Network DI Akedaga 'Tutiling' Meja has been carried out by the North Maluku River Basin Center (BWS) since March 2025.

Its rehabilitation includes repairing for and tapping buildings as well as a 1.4 km secondary carrier channel.

The optimization of DI Akedaga is based on planning a technical irrigation network system. The irrigation water is supplied from Akedaga's dam which utilizes the Dodoga River.

Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of the Opiyang Irrigation Network DI Opiyang Mancalele includes repairs to mud bag buildings, tapping buildings, primary and secondary carrier channels along 4.3 km.

"All construction work on the Irrigation Network rehabilitation of Akedaga and Opiyang has now reached 70 percent and will be completed in December 2025," he said.

Head of BWS North Maluku M. Saleh Talib said, during the construction process, irrigation water to farmers' fields continued to flow using repulsing and pumping channels. Rehabilitation of irrigation networks is needed to keep irrigation canals functioning optimally.

"It is hoped that with sufficient water availability, the productivity of rice farming can increase and be able to realize food self-sufficiency," he said.