Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Semantok Dam, in Nganjuk Regency, East Java Province, December 20, 2022
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good afternoon,
May peace be upon us all.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Since 2015, we have been constructing dams and reservoirs. To date, Semantok Dam is the 30th dam that was inaugurated out of around 50, 60 dams to be completed by the end of 2024. We are aware that water is the key to agriculture and other sectors such as electricity and tourism. Therefore, constructing more dams will improve our agricultural sector and eventually improve the welfare of the farmers.
The construction of Semantok Dam was started in 2017 and expended Rp2.5 trillion of the budget. It is not a small budget. However, the capacity of the dam is enormous, 32.6 million cubic meters with an inundation area of 365 hectares which can irrigate 1,900 hectares paddy fields.
We are hoping that the dam can irrigate the paddy fields down there and double rice yields. If the yield was twice (a year), it can be increased to three times. If the field has not been planted with rice, it can yield rice twice or three times.
This is what we’re looking for. Hopefully, the dam can benefit farmers in East Java province, particularly in Nganjuk regency.
By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, today I officially inaugurate Semantok Dam, in Nganjuk regency, East Java province.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(RAS/HD/MMB)