Gov’t to Enhance Irrigation Pump Utilization for Rainfed Land

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman and Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo deliver statements at the Presidential Palace, Tuesday (03/19). Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

The Government will enhance irrigation pump utilization for rainfed agricultural land to reduce impact of El Nino and improve productivity of agricultural land across the nation, according to Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman.

“We are facing prolonged El Nino, particularly in the island of Java. We plan to use irrigation water pumps for 500,000 hectares in upland areas and rainfed areas in the island of Java, and 500,000 hectares outside the island of Java,” the Minister said on Tuesday (03/19) after attending a limited cabinet meeting chaired by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Presidential Palace.

Amran said that the Government will provide a budget of Rp5.8 trillion for the plan. The Government will also provide free seeds to be distributed to farmers across the nation.

Regarding the implementation of the policy to increase the subsidized fertilizer from 4.7 million tons to 9.55 million tons this year, Amran said that Ministry of Finance will soon issue the budget implementation list (DIPA).

In the meantime, Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo said that the Bapanas has submitted a proposal to extend the relaxation policy for the highest retail price (HET) of premium rice.

(DND/RF/UN) (RI/LW)