The government is very serious in setting up agricultural infrastructure, one of which is a dam to irrigate farmers’ rice fields
Paser (MidLand) – The provincial government of East Kalimantan has finalized a program to build two dams in Paser regency as a means of supporting agricultural infrastructure in order to sustain the existence of the Indonesian capital (IKN), especially to meet the needs food.
East Kalimantan Acting Governor Akmal Malik said the two dams in question were the Telake and Lambakan dams in Longkali district, Paser Regency.
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“The government is very serious in preparing agricultural infrastructure, one of which is a dam to irrigate farmers’ paddy fields,” Akmal Malik said on Sunday while inspecting the location of the dam.
The review was carried out to verify the scope of the planned development program and to make recommendations regarding the dam.
Akmal Malik said that North Penajam Paser (PPU) and Paser is one of the regions which has a large enough area for the agricultural sector. In fact, it is expected that it could become one of the food granaries to support the presence of the Indonesian capital (IKN).
“The Telake and Lambakan dams are important and are really desired by the people of PPU and Paser, especially in the midst of limited water resources during the dry season,” he said.
As an area that will become a buffer zone for the Indonesian capital (IKN), Akmal Malik is well aware that the presence of this dam is very important to adequately meet the irrigation needs. So farmers aren’t just hoping that rainwater will meet the water needs of their rice fields.
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“These are two strategic projects that have been delayed. Although the urgency for East Kalimantan, especially for North Penajam Paser and Paser, is very great,” Akmal Malik said.
He added that from the beginning the construction of these two dams aimed to supply water to around 21 thousand hectares of rice fields in the two districts of the southern region of East Kalimantan.
Apart from this, the dam is also intended to control floods in these two districts. After determining East Kalimantan as the location for IKN.
“With the presence of the IKN, this will stimulate economic activity and population growth. East Kalimantan must build agricultural centers to achieve food self-sufficiency,” he said.
Akmal admits that this is not easy as there will definitely be many obstacles. But he is confident that with central and regional collaboration this plan can be realized soon.
“The IKN definitely needs a strong food supply. This is our job as a buffer zone of the IKN. The buffer zone must be there to meet the food needs of the IKN,” Akmal Malik said.
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Reporter: Arumanto
Publisher: Sambas
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