By: Silvi Ayuningtiyas )*
The government continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to strengthening national food security through the development and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure in various regions. This step is a crucial part of a broader strategy to increase agricultural productivity while ensuring sustainable food availability for the community.
One concrete step being taken is the improvement and rehabilitation of irrigation networks in Bali Province. This program, implemented by the Ministry of Public Works, implements 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.
Irrigation network maintenance is being carried out in eight regencies: Jembrana, Buleleng, Karangasem, Bangli, Badung, Gianyar, Klungkung, and Tabanan. The main focus of this program is to improve the reliability of water services for agricultural land so that cultivation activities can continue optimally throughout the year.
Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, emphasized that strengthening irrigation infrastructure is part of the government’s commitment to maintaining sustainable food production. According to him, infrastructure development is not only aimed at supporting the agricultural sector but also contributes to regional economic growth and improving community welfare.
The results of this program are beginning to be seen in various regions. In Jembrana Regency, improving the quality of irrigation networks has successfully driven an increase in the cropping index from 150 to 200. A similar situation also occurred in Buleleng Regency, which experienced a twofold increase in planting frequency. This improvement demonstrates that improved water access can have a direct impact on agricultural productivity.
Guaranteed water availability provides farmers with certainty in determining planting schedules. The risk of crop failure due to water shortages can be reduced, while farming efficiency improves. This positive impact is not only felt by farmers but also contributes to the stability of food supplies at the regional and national levels.
In addition to rehabilitating conventional irrigation networks, the government is also strengthening water management strategies through a pumped irrigation program. Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman considers this program a crucial breakthrough in increasing agricultural productivity, especially in dryland areas that have traditionally had limited access to water.
According to Amran, the use of pumped irrigation technology can significantly change farmers’ planting patterns. Land that previously could only be planted once a year has the potential to be expanded to two or three planting seasons. This situation opens up opportunities to increase production without having to rely entirely on expanding new agricultural land.
The government has also prepared substantial budget support to expand the implementation of this program. The allocated funds are expected to reach more productive dryland areas in various regions of Indonesia. With wider coverage, increased national food production can be achieved more quickly and sustainably.
The pumped irrigation program is also being implemented in an integrated manner with strategies for creating new rice fields and optimizing swampland. The combination of these policies demonstrates that the government is not focusing on a single approach but is instead building a more comprehensive and resilient food production system.
According to Amran, these various measures have yielded positive results in increasing national production. Increased productivity indicates that government policies are on the right track in strengthening food security and supporting the national food self-sufficiency target.
Another approach that continues to be strengthened is increasing the Additional Planted Area (LTT). Through this strategy, productivity can be increased without requiring significant land expansion. With adequate irrigation support, the same land can be used for multiple planting seasons throughout the year, resulting in higher yields.
Support for irrigation development also comes from the regional government. Lampung Governor Rahmat Mirzani Djausal considers increasing agricultural productivity a key factor in achieving sustainable food self-sufficiency. Therefore, the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation networks is one of the region’s priority programs.
According to Rahmat, increasing agricultural productivity must be continuously encouraged through various integrated strategic measures. In addition to irrigation development, the regional government is also strengthening fertilizer distribution, modernizing agricultural equipment, downstreaming agricultural products, and cross-sector collaboration to achieve optimal results.
more optimal.
Rahmat believes that increasing productivity will provide dual benefits. In addition to strengthening food supplies, increased harvest yields also have the potential to significantly increase farmers’ incomes. Thus, agricultural development can be a crucial instrument in driving regional economic growth.
As one of the national food barns, Lampung plays a strategic role in supporting Indonesia’s food security. Its vast agricultural land potential is a crucial asset that needs to be supported by adequate irrigation infrastructure to ensure continued productivity increases.
Various steps taken by the central and regional governments demonstrate that irrigation development is not simply an infrastructure project, but rather a long-term investment for the nation’s future. Guaranteed water availability will increase agricultural productivity, strengthen food supplies, maintain price stability, and improve farmer welfare.
With a continuously strengthened commitment, improving regional irrigation is believed to be a determining factor in Indonesia’s success in achieving sustainable food security. Through the synergy of infrastructure development, water management innovation, and consistent policy support, the national agricultural sector has a significant opportunity to continue growing and become a major pillar of public welfare.
*) Observer of National Food Security