Budget Telan Rp1.3 Trillion, Ministry Of PUPR Continue PSN Baliase Irrigation Network In South Sulawesi This Year

Baliase Dam in North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi (Sulsel). (Photo: Doc. Ministry of PUPR)

The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) continues the construction of a parent irrigation network sourced from the Baliase Dam in North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi (Sulsel).

The increase in the capacity of the Baliase Dam irrigation canal is part of efforts to increase agricultural productivity in South Sulawesi Province, which is one of the national food barns.

"The construction of the dam is followed by the construction of the irrigation network. Thus, the dams built at large costs can provide tangible benefits, where water will flow to farmers' fields," said PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono in a written statement, quoted on Tuesday, May 10.

Minister Basuki said that the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation networks is one of the priority programs of the Ministry of PUPR in order to support sustainable agricultural production. The Baliase Irrigation Dam and Network are one of the National Strategic Projects (PSN) listed in Presidential Regulation Number 56 of 2018.

The construction of the Baliase Irrigation Network is a continuation project of the Baliase Dam which was completed in 2018. In FY 2023, the Ministry of PUPR through the Pompengan Jeneberang River Basin Center (BBWSPJ), the Directorate General of Water Resources (SDA) continued the construction of the Baliase Irrigation Network by building three irrigation channels, namely the 34.60 Km left Baliase Irrigation Network, the 1st-right Baliase Irrigation Network along 19.24 km, and the 23 km right Baliase Irrigation Network.

It was recorded that until May 8, 2023, the physical progress of the Irrigation Network in left Baliase had reached 22.17 percent with a financial progress of 15.20 percent of the budget of IDR 126.6 billion. In left Baliase, it is targeted to be completed in December 2023 to provide irrigation benefits of 3,421.28 Ha.

Next, the Irrigation Network in Baliase right 1 reached 12.21 percent with a financial progress of 10.44 percent. The work in Baliase right 1 was built by contractor Abipraya-Langgeng-Marinda (KSO) worth IDR 68.3 billion to provide irrigation benefits of 2,968.56 Ha.

Then, the Baliase irrigation network on the right 2 with a budget of IDR 87.4 billion to provide irrigation benefits covering an area of 1,716.87 Ha. The physical progress of work in Baliase right 2 has reached 17.77 percent with 13.92 percent financial absorption.

Overall, the budget requirement for the construction of Dams and Irrigation Networks in Baliase is IDR 1.3 trillion with construction progress which includes PSN of 82.74 percent.

For your information, the Baliase Irrigation area itself has an area of 21,928 Ha located in five sub-districts, including Kec. Masamba, Mappadeceng, Sukamaju, Baebunta, and Malangke, which are potential areas for agricultural and irrigation land resources.