Ministry of Public Works Prepares 400 Water Pumps to Face 'Godzilla El Niño'

Jakarta – Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that his ministry is preparing approximately 400 water pump units to support agricultural pump irrigation in the face of potential dry seasons due to the Godzilla El Niño phenomenon. Dody said the number is provisional and will continue to be increased according to field needs so that water distribution to rice fields can run optimally during the dry period across various regions of Indonesia. “Many, yesterday the pumps (prepared) were 400 units, yes, but we will keep adding. So, for the time being 400 units but we will add more,” Dody said in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday, 11 April 2026. Dody emphasised that the provision of pumps is carried out considering coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture to avoid programme overlaps, so that government interventions can run effectively and on target in every region, especially in main rice production centres. “Because the Ministry of Agriculture is also preparing the same items. So, we don’t want any overlapping,” he said. According to him, the division of roles between ministries is key so that each can focus on different working areas without duplication of programmes in providing agricultural pump irrigation facilities. “We keep coordinating, where the Ministry of Agriculture works, we won’t work there. If we work there, the Ministry of Agriculture won’t work there,” Dody explained. In addition to providing water pumps, he also stressed the importance of building tertiary irrigation networks to ensure that the water channelled can be utilised maximally by agricultural land that needs it. “But for us, I ask my colleagues not to just pump groundwater, but also to build the tertiary irrigation network so that the water we channel is more effective and efficient for irrigating rice fields,” he said. With adequate irrigation networks, Dody added, water distribution is expected to be more effective and efficient, thereby supporting increased agricultural productivity, especially in areas dependent on rainfall. “Our hope is that rain-fed rice fields can at least harvest twice a year. If possible three times, alhamdulillah,” said Dody. Previously, Minister of Agriculture and Head of the National Food Agency Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that his side is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Works to repair irrigation networks in the face of drought threats due to the potential extreme El Niño.