Construction of Jatigede Dam in West Java

JAKARTA – The government will soon complete the construction of Jatigede dam in Sumedang, West Java, and it will start operating in 2014, Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa has said. “We will soon complete the construction of the dam so that it can start irrigating the rice fields in 2014,” Hatta Rajasa said here, on Saturday (Aug.21). He said following the operation of Jatigede dam in Sumedang, rice fields irrigation problem being faced so far by the farmers in Indramayu district would be solved. Hatta said the completion of the dam construction was also part of government attention to the complaint of Indramayu farmers about water problem for irrigation as a result of extreme climate change.

“Besides Jatigede dam, the government will also build the other ones starting 2013 to irrigate 7.4 million hectares of rice field across the country,” Hatta said. He added that dam construction and expansion of agriculture land were part of government’s effort to improved the farmers productivity and welfare. “Farmers welfare is inseparable for food resilience. One hectare of rice field at present can only produce four to six tons of unhusked rice because of irrigation problem. Therefore irrigation is important to increase the farmers productivity,” Hatta said.

On the occasion, Public Works Vice Minister Hermanto Dardak said the construction Jatigede dam was expected to be completed in 2013. “When completed, the dam will store 900,000 cubic meter of water and it will be enough to irrigate the rice fields in the district and surrounding areas,” Hermanto said. In addition, he said the government would repair primary and secondary water channels for Jatiged dam so that all rice fields in Indramayu district could be irrigated. During the visit, Hatta Rajasa was accompanied by Agriculture Minister Suswono, State Minister for State Enterprises Mustafa Abubakar, Transportation Vice Minister Bambang Susantono and Agriculture Vice Minister Bayu Krishnamurti

via: Waspada Online