Kupang (ANTARA) - Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo emphasized the importance of optimizing the function of irrigation channels in a sustainable manner to strengthen the distribution of agricultural water more efficiently and equitably in rice fields.
"This irrigation channel is part of the transformation of the irrigation system to support food self-sufficiency while strengthening the water distribution system to be more efficient and equitable," said Hanggodo.
He made the statement when meeting with farmers who benefited from the Raknamo irrigation area in Kupang District, East Nusa Tenggara, Friday. He stated that the Raknamo Dam irrigation area has primary and secondary channels measuring 8,228.53 meters with a standard area of 1,323 hectares and a potential area of 841 hectares.
The irrigation area is very strategic in supporting the national priority program of food self-sufficiency in accordance with Astacita (main goals) of President Prabowo Subianto. Hanggodo added that the central government is ready to assist farmers through irrigation networks, including facilitating proposals for the construction of irrigation roads and culverts.
This facility is expected to increase the cropping index (IP) and agricultural production up to three harvests per year with a rice-rice-rice or rice-rice-secondary crops planting pattern.
"Our task at the Ministry of Public Works is to improve the welfare of farmers, as stated in President Prabowo Subianto's vision and mission," he said.
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He also said that his visit to the Raknamo Dam irrigation area was aimed at ensuring that the dam, which was completed and already operational, was truly beneficial for farmers.
"After discussions, I received reports that this dam has enabled farmers to plant rice twice a year, and production has also increased significantly, from three to four tons per hectare to six up to seven tons per hectare," he said.
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Ruben, a farmer in Raknamo Village, expressed his gratitude for the government's support in changing the local community's cropping patterns.
"Previously, we only planted corn, but now we can plant rice thanks to the irrigation canal. We hope the harvest will increase after the rehabilitation is complete," he said.
He said that currently there are no longer any crop failures in the area, including in Manusak Village.
