Still Using Wood And Planks, Muara Jaya OKU Residents Ask Minister Basuki To Build Irrigation Dam

OKU - The people of Muara Jaya Subdistrict, Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency, South Sumatra asked the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) to build a rice field irrigation dam to make it easier for farmers to grow crops.

"We have conveyed this proposal directly to the Minister of PUPR, Basuki Hadi Muljono during a visit to OKU Regency in the context of the inauguration of the bridge in Muara Jaya District a few days ago," said Agricultural Extension Officer of Muara Jaya District, Supriyanto in Baturaja, Antara, Tuesday, 2 March.

According to him, the current dam is deemed inadequate because it still uses wood and planks. This makes it difficult for farmers because the old facilities must be repaired regularly so that irrigation can work optimally.

According to Supriyanto, the potential of rice fields in seven villages spread across Muara Jaya District covering an area of 300 hectares (ha) is very good, but unfortunately it is not supported by adequate irrigation facilities.

"The rice harvest in Muara Jaya District can reach 6 tons of dry unhulled rice (GKP) per hectare. Therefore, we hope that the government will realize the proposal," he hoped.

The Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), Mochamad Basuki Hadi Muljono previously said that the proposal from the community regarding the irrigation improvement would be realized in 2023.

The PUPR Ministry will build an irrigation dam through the 2023 budget so that the community's harvest in the area can increase further.