Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia After Inspecting Mbay Dam, Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, December 5, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):

Yes, we are now at the Mbay Dam in Nagekeo regency, in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province.  The construction of Mbay Dam has started at the end of 2021 and indeed is not finished yet.  It is targeted to be completed by the end of 2024. The dam can hold 51 million cubic meters of water and will eventually irrigate approximately 4,200 hectares, with an additional development of 1,900 hectares. What we hope is that with the completion of the Mbay Dam, rice production in Nagekeo district can increase up to 250 percent, which means it can be multiplied by 2.5 times.

Reporter:

Does that mean the construction of this dam is related to food security, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):

Yes, all the construction of dams and irrigation systems are integral to the country’s food strategy for food security and food sovereignty, yes.

(RY/MUR)