Jatiluhur Irrigation Water Supply Assured Amidst Dry Season

State-owned water company Perum Jasa Tirta II (PJT II) is strengthening its coordination and anticipatory measures to meet irrigation water needs and support the success of the Second Planting Season (MT II) 2026. The move is being taken in anticipation of the peak of the dry season, which, based on an updated forecast from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in June 2026, is expected to largely occur in August 2026. As the manager of national strategic water resources, PJT II is ensuring that the availability and distribution of water in the Jatiluhur Irrigation Area (DI) remains optimally maintained. This effort is part of the company’s duty to sustain planting activities while supporting national food production. Every two weeks, PJT II routinely holds discussions with the Water Resources Operation Coordination Team (TKOSDA). The coordination involves Unit Wilayah I, Unit Wilayah II, Unit Wilayah III, Unit Wilayah IV, and the Hydroelectric Power Unit. The involvement of all regional units reflects the extensive service coverage of the Jatiluhur Irrigation Area, which irrigates agricultural areas in the lowlands of West Java’s north coast. The service area covers the regencies of Purwakarta, Karawang, Bekasi, Subang, and Indramayu. The Jatiluhur Irrigation Area is one of the largest irrigation systems in Indonesia. The system plays a strategic role in supporting the national food self-sufficiency programme and serves as the lifeblood of food production that benefits public welfare. In May 2026, the actual supply of irrigation water in the Jatiluhur Irrigation Area reached 231.33 cubic metres per second. This figure exceeded the supply plan or allocation of 185.52 cubic metres per second. Of the total realisation, PJT II supplied 177.35 cubic metres per second. This supply was calculated to serve the West Tarum Canal, North Tarum Canal, East Tarum Canal, and the Cikao River. With the water distribution support provided by PJT II, the progress of planting activities for the 2026 Second Planting Season up to May 2026 had reached nearly 30 per cent of the target area of 211,541.90 hectares. Meanwhile, for the South Jatiluhur Irrigation Area, planting progress reached 93 per cent of the 28,099-hectare target. PJT II President Director Imam Santoso stated that planned and collaborative water management is a crucial factor in maintaining agricultural productivity, especially amidst the potential peak of the dry season. “Food security cannot be separated from water security. Therefore, PJT II continues to take anticipatory steps and measured management to ensure irrigation water needs are met so that agricultural activities can run optimally,” said Imam. According to Imam, routine discussions with the TKOSDA are an important instrument to ensure water resource operations adapt to climate dynamics and field needs. “We prioritise controlled and coordination-based management. This step is important to anticipate the potential for a prolonged dry season while ensuring farmers receive an adequate water supply to support land productivity,” he said.