65 new dams to boost food sovereignty program

Jakarta, InfoPublik – Public Works and Public Housing Ministry had begun the construction of 65 new dams to boost Indonesia’s food sovereignty program.

The ministry’s head of dam center Imam Santoso explained that the construction of the new dams can presumably increase the availability of water storage in Indonesia, from 12.6 billion cubic meters from the existing 230 dams up to 19.1 billion cubic meters.

The water volume addition, he continued, will extend the irrigation area. Currently, there are 7.1 million hectares of rice field and 760,000 hectares of them or 10.5 percent are getting water from the dam, while others are rain-fed field.

"With the completion of those 65 dams, the area of paddy fields that get water from the dam are increased up to 173,000 hectares to become 933,000 hectares in total or 13.5 percent increase,” he said in a press conference at his office on Friday (9/16).

In 2015, the ministry had completed the construction of five reservoirs, namely Rajui in Aceh, Jatigede in West Java, Bajulmati and Nipah in East Java, and Titab in Bali.

This year, they aim to finish the construction of Paya Seunara in Aceh and Teritip in East Kalimantan. In 2017, their targets are Raknamo and Mila in East Nusa Tenggara, Tanju in West Nusa Tenggara, and Marangkayu in East Kalimantan.

Other seven reservoirs to be completed in 2018 are Gondang and Logung in Central Java, Tugu in East Java, Rotiklod in East Nusa Tenggara, Sei Gong in Riau, Bintang Bano in West Nusa Tenggara, and Kuningan in West Java.

In 2019 there are 11 dams be completed, namely Passeloreng in South Sulawesi, Tapin in South Kalimantan, Ciawi and Sukamahi in West Java, Karalloe in South Sulawesi, Sindang Heula in Banten, Keureuto in Aceh, Bendo and Gongseng in East Java, and Pidekso in Central Java. The remaining 36 dams will be completed until 2022. (Translator: Rina Alexandra)