Agriculture Minister strengthens pumped irrigation to boost farming productivity
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman has affirmed that his ministry is strengthening the pumped irrigation programme (Irpom) as it represents a tangible breakthrough in boosting national agricultural productivity.
Amran stated that through water management utilisation, this technique can significantly alter farmers’ cropping patterns, especially on dry (upland) lands, from just one harvest previously to two or three times a year.
“This policy is key in driving production increases without fully relying on expanding new land,” the Minister said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
This affirmation was conveyed by the Minister during a working visit to Banyurip Village, Tegalrejo Subdistrict, Magelang Regency, on Thursday (16/4).
At the site, the Minister directly witnessed the success of pumpanisation with a pumped irrigation structure of 5,000-litre capacity that has been operating to irrigate around 20 hectares, delivering real impacts for local farmers.
“This is very creative, where pumpanisation here is already running. What used to be one harvest has become three. Why? Because the pump has been installed,” the Minister remarked.
He affirmed that this success will be replicated nationwide so that all dry lands can be optimised through the installation of pumped irrigation.
“Our hope is that across Indonesia, dry lands or upland areas that harvest once can become two or three times because we will install pumps,” he said.
To accelerate the programme, the Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a substantial budget.
“We have budgeted up to Rp5 trillion for pumpanisation. If we can reach 1 million hectares, even at just 6 tonnes production, that means an increase of 6 million tonnes of unmilled rice,” he said.
Furthermore, he explained that the pumped irrigation programme is being implemented alongside other strategies, namely the creation of new paddy fields and the optimisation of swamp lands as part of efforts to boost national production.
“Well, this is while we create paddy fields and also optimise swamp lands. So, these are the three steps we are taking,” he said.
According to Amran, the combination of these policies has shown tangible results with significant production increases.
“These are the steps we are taking so that production rises sharply, namely 13 per cent or 4 million tonnes,” he revealed.
Furthermore, the Minister explained the Luas Tambah Tanam (LTT) concept as the main strategy in increasing production.
“This is called Luas Tambah Tanam (LTT). So, the land remains the same, but the planting area increases. It has the potential for three plantings in one hectare,” he said.
He added that the additional production potential will be even greater if LTT is expanded.
“Well, if there are 2 million additional hectares, times 6 tonnes, that’s 12 million tonnes of unmilled rice. That means adding 6 million tonnes of rice,” he said.
As a step to accelerate implementation in the regions, the Minister will gather all regents/mayors of districts/cities with potential for LTT additions to ensure irrigation needs are met.
“We will check everything later. Those who need pumps, God willing, on Monday (20/4) we will decide. We will invite the Regents to Jakarta. The funds are ready. This is the President’s order,” Amran said.