Batang guarantees farmers' water needs remain secure amid industrial growth
The Batang Regency Government in Central Java has guaranteed that the community’s water needs, particularly for irrigating farmers’ agricultural land, will continue to be met amid industrial growth.
Deputy Regent of Batang Suyono said on Friday that the community’s water needs, especially in the agricultural sector, remain a top priority for the regional government amid the increasingly rapid development of industrial estates.
“We have carried out careful calculations regarding water needs for the agricultural sector. In fact, two special dams have been prepared, designed to set aside some water for the benefit of farmers,” he said.
According to him, the water source for the industrial estate is taken from the downstream part of the dam, not from the upstream section which is the main source of agricultural irrigation.
The clean water supply for the industrial estate, he said, comes from a dam that has already passed through several agricultural areas, at the lowest weir.
“This means it has already gone through the needs of the farming community in this area,” he said.
Beyond the issue of water needs, Suyono said the regional government will also maintain a balance between development, community needs, and environmental protection, including preserving sustainable food agricultural land (LP2B).
Currently, the area of rice fields, he said, reaches around 17,000 hectares and its existence must be maintained in accordance with spatial planning provisions and the policies of the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (ATR).
“As for rice fields, it is approximately 17,000 hectares. That can no longer be tampered with,” he stressed.
He said regional development must continue while taking into account environmental carrying capacity and community needs.
“Thus, the drafting of regional regulations is expected to serve as a foundation for maintaining a balance between industrial growth, environmental protection, food security, water availability, and the utilisation of regional assets,” he said.