Minister of Public Works expands irrigation services to support agriculture in remote, border, and outermost regions

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo has expanded irrigation services to support agriculture in Indonesia’s remote, border, and outermost regions. He stated that the construction of the Groundwater Irrigation Network (JIAT) is part of the Ministry’s commitment to maximise the use of every drop of water to improve public welfare. “Through JIAT, we aim to ensure water availability to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security,” Dody said in a statement on Sunday in Jakarta. The Ministry continues to strengthen water resource infrastructure to support balanced development and enhance agricultural productivity in the remote, border, and outermost regions. One such effort involves constructing the Groundwater Irrigation Network, which provides water for rain-fed agricultural land, such as in Rote Ndao District, East Nusa Tenggara. Dody directed that JIAT development in Rote should not only focus on drilling wells and groundwater pumps but also include tertiary channel networks tailored to the land’s morphology to effectively deliver water to agricultural fields. Furthermore, he encouraged the use of more efficient energy for groundwater irrigation system operations, including solar panels where feasible. These steps are expected to reduce pump operating costs and improve the sustainability of irrigation services in remote areas.