Ibas Urges Farmers to Make Ramadan a Reminder of Water's Importance
Irrigation is the lifeblood of national agriculture. More than 70 per cent of national rice production depends on irrigation systems. Nationally, Indonesia has over 7 million hectares of irrigated land, though some still requires rehabilitation and modernisation.
“I am here this afternoon with a simple message: water is life. Irrigation is the lifeblood of agriculture,” said Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Parliament’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, during his 2026 parliamentary recess visit to inspect irrigation programmes in Kedunggalar, Ngawi Regency on Thursday (26 February 2026).
The Democratic Party fraction leader in the House of Representatives stated that every 10 per cent increase in irrigation efficiency can raise rice productivity by 5–8 per cent. This means irrigation is not merely a technical project but a strategy for food sovereignty.
Ibas, as he is commonly known, emphasised that water management is a constitutional mandate. He cited Article 33(3) of the 1945 Constitution, which states that the earth and water are controlled by the state and utilised for the greatest prosperity of the people.
“The meaning is clear. The state is obliged to safeguard water for farmers. There is no harvest without irrigation. There is no prosperity without water,” he said.
As one of East Java’s food granaries, Ngawi is considered to have a strategic role in maintaining national food stability. However, he also acknowledged that there remain challenges on the ground, such as channel sedimentation, embankment leaks, damaged water gates, and uneven distribution.
On this occasion, Ibas also appealed to the public to help preserve the environment surrounding irrigation and agricultural areas. He stressed that the sustainability of water sources depends heavily on shared environmental stewardship.
“We must protect the environment together. The water that flows to rice fields comes from a healthy natural environment. If the environment is damaged, then agriculture will also be affected,” he said.