Built Since 2022, Saba Dam Melayu Becomes A Source Of Farmer Irrigation In Magelang

Saba Dam Melayu in the Pabelan River, Magelang Regency, Central Java. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Public Works)

The Ministry of Public Works (PU) has optimized the function of the Sabo Dam Melayu in the Pabelan River, Magelang Regency, Central Java, as a source of agricultural irrigation for the community.

The use of its function is in addition to controlling the basic elevation of the river and managing the volcanic sediment of Mount Merapi.

Its utilization is part of the Ministry of Public Works' strategy in strengthening water and food security, especially in disaster-prone areas.

The construction of the savo dam is designed to flow water to agricultural lands in the downstream area more regularly and efficiently.

Saba dam is not just a sediment control building, but also a source of life for farmers.

"With a more secure irrigation system, we help farmers increase their crops, maintain food security, as well as move the village economy," said Dody, quoted from his written statement, Monday, October 27.

The use of infrastructure is also an effort to implement President Prabowo Subianto's Astacita vision, especially in strengthening food self-sufficiency and the welfare of rural communities.

"Astacita emphasizes the importance of food independence and development in favor of the people. Through the infrastructure that has been built by the Ministry of Public Works, we want to ensure that water is available, rice fields remain productive and farmers can live more prosperously," he said.

Meanwhile, Saba Dam Melayu was built starting in 2022 and then using the State Budget of around Rp. 19.9 billion with the main function of containing volcanic sediment from Mount Merapi.

The development of sabo dam as irrigation infrastructure has provided real benefits for the community, especially Muntilan District.

The resulting irrigation system is capable of irrigating 40 hectares of agricultural land in Adikarto and Progowati villages and supports the 33 hectares of Sokorini's Sabo Dam irrigation system and 2 hectares of Tanjung irrigation.

Technically, the Saba Dam Melayu is 60 meters wide and 11 meters high, with a sturdy construction but integrated with community agricultural irrigation.

Until now, the Ministry of Public Works through the Serayu Opak River Basin Center (BBWS) has built 277 units of Sabo dam in the upstream area of Mount Merapi which is spread across 15 main rivers.

Based on the lava and sediment control master plan in 2017, an additional 90 new Sabo dam units are still needed to strengthen the control system and increase its benefits for agricultural irrigation.

Kementerian PU akan terus melanjutkan pembangunan dan revitalisasi sabo dam di wilayah rawan bencana sebagai bagian dari upaya strategis pengelolaan sumber daya air terpadu.

Langkah tersebut diharapkan dapat memastikan pasokan air berkelanjutan, meningkatkan indeks pertanaman serta memperkuat ketahanan pangan nasional menuju Indonesia maju.

Selain berfungsi mengendalikan material vulkanik Gunung Merapi dan irigasi pertanian, Sabo Dam Menayu juga berperan sebagai jembatan penghubung dua desa dan membuka peluang pengembangan wisata air yang mendorong ekonomi masyarakat sekitar.

Sabo Dam Menayu sangat bermanfaat, seperti sebagai akses transportasi masyarakat, terutama dari aspek wisata karena ada lokasi kuliner dan tempat bermain.

Tak hanya itu, sabo dam juga sangat mendukung irigasi bagi desa-desa di sekitarnya.

The Ministry of Public Works will continue to develop and revitalize Sabo dam in disaster-prone areas as part of strategic efforts to manage integrated water resources.

This step is expected to ensure a sustainable water supply, increase the planting index and strengthen national food security towards advanced Indonesia.

In addition to functioning in controlling the volcanic material of Mount Merapi and agricultural irrigation, Saba Dam Melayu also acts as a bridge connecting two villages and opens up opportunities for developing water tourism that encourages the economy of the surrounding community.

Saba Dam Melayu is very useful, such as as access to public transportation, especially from the tourist aspect because there are culinary locations and playgrounds.

Not only that, Sabo dam also strongly supports irrigation for the surrounding villages.