Progress on Manikin Dam Exceeds Target, Strengthening Food Security and Water in NTT
The Ministry of Public Works (PU) records that the progress of the Manikin Dam construction in Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has reached 68.98 per cent, exceeding the target of 68.57 per cent.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that the Manikin Dam construction is a strategic step by the government in addressing water availability challenges in the NTT region.
“The Manikin Dam will become one of the infrastructures to support food security in NTT,” he said on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
With reliable irrigation water provision, it is hoped that agricultural productivity will increase and the cropping index can rise significantly, thereby improving farmers’ welfare.
The dam construction, which began in 2019, is carried out by the Nusa Tenggara II River Basin Organisation (BBWS) under the Directorate General of Water Resources (SDA) of the Ministry of PU, with a budget of approximately Rp 2.059 trillion and is currently proceeding according to target.
The area covers the Tuahanat Irrigation Area (DI) of 100 hectares, Manikin DI of 437 hectares, and Manumuti DI of 33.86 hectares.
With more guaranteed water availability, the cropping index in the region is targeted to increase from 200 per cent to 300 per cent, enabling a boost in agricultural production.
In addition to irrigation, the dam will also provide raw water at 700 litres per second, allocated 350 litres per second each to Kupang City and Kupang Regency.
The Manikin Dam is also designed to reduce flood potential across 627 hectares, covering Lasiana Ward in Kupang City and Central Kupang Subdistrict in Kupang Regency.
From an energy perspective, the dam has potential for renewable energy development through a floating solar power plant (PLTS) of 29.8 megawatts and a micro-hydro power plant (PLTMH) of 0.125 megawatts.
With these various benefits, the Manikin Dam is expected to support food security, clean water provision, flood control, and energy development in NTT.