Ministry of Agriculture Builds 29 Borehole Wells for Farming in Banyuwangi
Banyuwangi, East Java (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Agriculture has constructed 29 borehole wells in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, to support the enhancement of agricultural productivity in this easternmost regency of Java island.
In addition to the boreholes, Banyuwangi has received support for the construction of three units of tertiary irrigation networks with a total length of 300 metres, as well as seed assistance for 1,001 hectares of paddy fields distributed across several locations.
“These boreholes provide certainty of water availability for farmers throughout the year, thereby boosting agricultural productivity and serving as an effort to anticipate drought entering the dry season,” said Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani during the inauguration of the pump house in the paddy field area of the Kejibeling Farmer Group in Kaotan Village, Blimbingsari Subdistrict, Banyuwangi, on Thursday.
According to her, the existence of this assistance in the form of pump houses and boreholes from the Ministry of Agriculture’s land optimisation programme not only helps maintain irrigation water supply but also provides broader economic benefits.
With stable water availability, Ipuk continued, farmers can increase planting intensity and accelerate planting periods, thereby reducing the risk of crop failure during the dry season.
In addition, she said, the pump house serves as a centre for more organised and efficient water distribution management, and water can be channelled evenly to the paddy field areas, so farmers no longer have to take turns receiving water supplies as before.
“We invite everyone to jointly maintain these available facilities so that they can be utilised in the long term for the welfare of all,” Ipuk stated.
Chairman of the Kejibeling Farmer Group in Kaotan Village, Isa Ansori, expressed gratitude for the borehole assistance, as since the borehole’s presence, water availability has become more abundant and stable.
“Previously, farmers had to take turns to get water, now they no longer do. The planting and harvesting periods have also increased; what used to be twice a year can now be three times a year, and now there is no worry about planting during the dry season because the water is sufficient,” he said.