After Jokowi's Inauguration, East Java Governor Khofifah Hopes Tukul Dam Will Revive Pacitan's Economy

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, inaugurated the Tukul Dam, in Karanggede Village, Arjosari District, Pacitan Regency, East Java (East Java), Sunday afternoon, February 14. (Photo: Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

JAKARTA - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa stated that the Tukul Dam in Pacitan Regency is capable of being a center for community economic empowerment as well as providing benefits to local agriculture.

"The dam has had a tremendous impact on the people of Pacitan," said Khofifah as quoted by Antara, Monday, February 15.

The Tukul Dam, which is one of the national strategic projects, has operated after the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo in Karanggede Village, Arjosari District, Pacitan Regency.

Governor Khofifah explained that there are 600 hectares of irrigation canals that can be fed with water at any time, especially in the Arjosari and Pacitan districts.

In addition, the Tukul Dam is also capable of supplying raw water of 300 liters per second so that it can be one of the energy potentials.

"The Tukul Dam can also be a tourist site and conservation area. So that it helps improve the community's economy," said the number one person in the East Java Provincial Government.

The construction of the Tukul Dam has started from 2015 to 2020, and costs a sole state budget of IDR 934.8 billion.

"The Tukul Dam is one of six dams in East Java which is a national strategic project launched by the government," said the former Social Minister.

The existence of the Tukul Dam, said Khofifah, will support East Java's efforts to continue to be a province that consistently contributes highly in the agricultural sector nationally.

Based on records at the East Java Regional Secretariat Administration Bureau, referring to BPS data in 2020, rice production in East Java is the highest in Indonesia, with a national contribution of 18.17 percent.

Then, the production of dry milled rice for East Java is 10.02 million tons, equivalent to 5.65 million tons of rice.

Then, East Java's highest maize production at the national level was 6.6 million tons, with a national contribution reaching 21.8 percent.

"Another thing to be proud of is when the exchange rate of farmers (NTP) in other areas experiences a contraction, in East Java, it does not happen. NTP in East Java is still growing by 0.26 percent," said Khofifah.