Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after Inspecting the Water Pump Assistance Program, in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java Province, June 19, 2024
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
Yes, this water pump assistance program is being implemented not only in Central Java, not only in Karanganyar either, but also in all provinces which we predict will experience a long drought in July, August, September, October. Let me take Central Java for example. We expect Central Java’s agricultural production to reach 9.8 million tons. With this pump assistance program, we expect an additional 1.3 million tons. Not much, to the 9.8 [million tons], we expect the additional 1.3 [million tons]. So, in Central Java, the pumps have already arrived and have been received by the province, at the Regional Military Command. There are 4,300 pumps, consisting of those with an 8.5 horsepower (hp) engine each and those with an 18 hp engine each like the ones here. Yes, we expect that the long drought that we have predicted through BMKG (the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) can be mitigated with water management like this. This water management is crucial, isn’t it?
Journalists
Can this pump assistance program reduce imports, Sir? Is this program expected to reduce imports, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
Yes, firstly, there are pumps which will extract water directly from rivers. Secondly, there are pumps which will extract ground water. Thirdly, as we have seen earlier in Klaten, there are pumps which will channel water from rivers to the existing technical irrigation. So, there are different kinds of pumps. And also, we will maximize artificial rain at the end of the season, like this one in the end of this rainy season.
Journalists
What was the reason for choosing Karanganyar, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
Not only in Karanganyar, this program is also being carried out in all provinces. All provinces.
Journalists
What about the target to reduce imports, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
It is set for all provinces.
Journalists
To reduce imports?
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
Yes, this program is aimed at preventing the rise in our imports. So, we hope that the maximum harvest will not only occur in the first planting year, but the same will also occur in the second planting year and the third planting year.
Journalists
How much is the budget for this pump assistance program, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
Ask Minister of Agriculture about it later.
Journalists
Let us ask another question, Sir. What about social assistance for online gamblers?
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
There’s no such a thing.
Journalists
Does that mean that such assistance hasn’t actually been regulated yet, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
No, no.
Journalists
What about the Central Java Regional Elections, Sir? What are the directives to volunteers for the Central Java Regional Elections, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
Ask political parties about it, OK?