Gov’t Constructs Rukoh Dam to Improve Food, Water Security in Aceh

Rukoh Dam, in Pidie regency, Aceh province. (Photo by: Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing’s PR)

In a bid to improve food and water security in Aceh province, the Government through Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) constructs Rukoh Dam in Pidie regency.

The construction work which is included in the National Strategic Program (PSN) also aims at increasing rice yield of 12,000 hectares of paddy fields.

“The construction of the dam will be followed by construction of irrigation network. Therefore, the dam which is built by using significant amount of budget can instantly benefit farmers since it can channel water to paddy fields,” Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said as quoted from official website of the Ministry of PUPR, Monday (11/10).

Basuki asserted that the Ministry will continue managing water resources and irrigation system in an effort to support sustainable crops yield.

Rukoh Dam can accommodate 128.66 million cubic meters of water with an inundation area of 716.10 hectares. The dam will also provide clean and raw water with a capacity of 0.90 cubic meters per second, provide electricity supply generated from hydropower plant of 1.22 megawatt, serve as flood control in Pidie regency, and support the development of potential tourism areas that will contribute to local economic development.

In addition to Rukoh Dam, the Ministry is also building Keureuto Dam in North Aceh regency and Tiro Dam in Pidie regency. The construction progress of Keureuto Dam has reached 65 percent and it is predicted to complete in 2023.

For the record, the Ministry in 2016 had completed the construction of Rajui Dam in Pidie regency which can accommodate 2.67 million cubic meters of water and irrigate 3,000 hectares of paddy field. (MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC HOUSING PR/UN) (RAS/MMB)