Karalloe Irrigation Network Ready To Serve Jeneponto Farmers In South Sulawesi Early October 2023

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) has completed the rehabilitation of irrigation networks in the Irrigation Area (DI) Kelara Karalloe in Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi.

The rehabilitation of the irrigation network is carried out to anticipate drought in agricultural land due to the prolonged dry season.

Director of Irrigation and Rawa of the Directorate General of Water Resources of the Ministry of PUPR Ismail Widadi said the irrigation network built through the Pompengan Jeneberang River Basin Center (BBWS) has a length of 1,566 meters (m).

The trial has been carried out on September 13, 2023, or sooner than the target, September 30, 2023.

"The rehabilitation of this channel is a continuation of the completion of the construction of the Karalloe Dam in 2021. With the completion of the rehabilitation of this irrigation canal, farmers will start enjoying water services accommodated by the Karalloe Dam," said Ismail. press release, Friday, September 22.

In the condition of the long dry season and drying the river at this time, Ismail said, the Kelara Karalloe irrigation network is ready to serve irrigation water needs in the first planting season, namely in October 2023-March 2024.

"Water for irrigation will be supplied from the Karalloe Dam, where the water reservoir is stored as much as approximately 11 million cubic meters. This is enough to irrigate 7,000 hectares (ha) of rice fields until the rainy season begins this November," he said.

In the future, continued Ismail, it is hoped that the community and farmers will not only enjoy the available water, but also feel that they own it, namely by participating in the maintenance of its channels, buildings and environment.

"Everyone must remind each other and prevent activities that have the potential to damage the channel," he added.