Jakarta – The modernization and rehabilitation of irrigation networks continues to be a government focus in strengthening national food security. Through various irrigation infrastructure development programs, the government strives to increase agricultural productivity while maintaining the sustainability of food supplies in various regions.
The Ministry of Public Works (PU) is currently accelerating the improvement and rehabilitation of irrigation networks in Bali Province as part of the implementation of Presidential Instruction Number 2 of 2025 concerning the acceleration of the development, improvement, rehabilitation, operation, and maintenance of irrigation networks to support food self-sufficiency.
The program covers eight regencies: Jembrana, Buleleng, Karangasem, Bangli, Badung, Gianyar, Klungkung, and Tabanan. In the first package, rehabilitation was carried out in 58 irrigation areas with a length of 69.27 kilometers, serving a total of 3,088 hectares.
The second package includes the management of 10 irrigation areas with a length of 10 kilometers and further rehabilitation in 42 irrigation areas with a network length of 28.52 kilometers.
Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, emphasized that irrigation infrastructure development plays a strategic role in maintaining the sustainability of national food production.
“All of these achievements demonstrate the Ministry of Public Works’ commitment to ensuring infrastructure supports food security, education, and regional economic growth,” said Dody.
Improvements to the irrigation network have had a tangible impact. In Jembrana Regency, the cropping index increased from 150 to 200. Meanwhile, in Buleleng Regency, planting frequency doubled, with the cropping index rising from 100 to 200.
Similarly, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman assessed that strengthening the irrigation system through pumped irrigation is a crucial breakthrough for increasing land productivity.
“This policy is key to encouraging increased production without having to rely entirely on new land expansion,” said Amran.
According to him, pumped irrigation technology can change cropping patterns in dry land from one harvest to two to three harvests per year. To accelerate this program, the government has allocated a budget of up to IDR 5 trillion to expand the reach of pumped irrigation in various regions.
Meanwhile, Governor Rahmat Mirzani Djausal emphasized that increasing agricultural productivity must be a priority to achieve sustainable food self-sufficiency.
“Increasing productivity in the agricultural sector is key to strengthening food security and achieving sustainable food self-sufficiency, while simultaneously improving the welfare of farmers in the regions,” he said.
Through modernizing irrigation networks and strengthening irrigation infrastructure, the government is optimistic that national food security can be further strengthened while improving the welfare of farmers in various regions of Indonesia.