Supporting food self-sufficiency, construction of six dams accelerated
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Dukung swasembada pangan, Pembangunan enam bendungan dipacu
10 January 2025
By Ichsan Amin
Jakarta, ID – The Public Works Ministry is constructing six dams in Indonesia, scheduled for completion in 2025, with a total value of Rp8.7 trillion. These dams are expected to contribute significantly to achieving food and water self-sufficiency in the country.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that the government views dam construction as essential not only for achieving food self-sufficiency but also for fostering new economic activities across various sectors.
“We agree that water resources infrastructure is vital for supporting food self-sufficiency, and therefore, it is essential to continue this initiative. Dams play a key role by supplying primary, secondary, and tertiary irrigation to rice fields,” Minister Dody said in his statement in Jakarta on Thursday (9/1/2025).
The six dams under construction are Rukoh and Keureuto Dams in Aceh, Jlantah Dam in Central Java, Sidan Dam in Bali, Marangkayu Dam in East Kalimantan, and Meninting Dam in West Nusa Tenggara.
Rukoh Dam, situated in Pidie Regency, has a capacity of 128 cubic metres (m³). It is designed to supply water to an irrigation area of 11,950 hectares (ha), supporting both rice and secondary crops with a planting intensity of 300%. Additionally, the dam aims to reduce flood potential by 89.62% and holds the potential for generating 140 megawatts (MW) of solar power.
Additionally, Rukoh Dam supplies raw water at a rate of 0.90 cubic metres per second. The construction of the dam took place from 2018 to 2024, with a total expenditure of Rp1.7 trillion funded by the state budget.
Keureuto Dam, situated in North Aceh Regency, has a capacity of 216 million cubic metres. It is designed to irrigate 9,455 ha of land and supply raw water at a rate of 0.5 cubic metres per second to five subdistricts in North Aceh Regency. Additionally, the dam generates 6.34 megawatts of electricity and helps reduce flooding by 30% in areas such as Matang Kuli, Lhoksukon, and Tanah Luas subdistricts. The construction of the dam spanned from 2016 to 2024 with a state budget allocation of Rp2.73 trillion. The project is currently in its final stages, awaiting completion.
Meanwhile, Jlantah Dam, located in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java, has a capacity of 10.97 million cubic metres. It provides irrigation for 1,494 hectares, reduces flooding in an area of 87 hectares, supplies raw water at a rate of 0.1 cubic metres per second, and generates 6 megawatts of electricity. The construction of the dam took place from 2019 to 2024, with a budget of Rp1.02 trillion.
In Bali, Sidan Dam, with a capacity of 5.76 million cubic meters, is ready for inauguration. The dam is designed to supply raw water at a rate of 1.75 cubic metres per second and generate 0.65 megawatts of electricity. Its construction took place from 2018 to 2024, with a budget of Rp1.8 trillion.
In Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, Marangkayu Dam boasts a capacity of 12.3 million cubic metres. It is designed to irrigate 1,500 hectares, supply raw water at a rate of 0.45 cubic metres per second, and generate electricity as a micro hydropower plant with a capacity of 135 kWh. The construction of the dam took place from 2023 to 2024, with a budget allocation of Rp191.26 billion.
In West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Meninting Dam is set for inauguration. It has a capacity of 12 million cubic metres and is designed to irrigate 1,559 hectares, supply raw water at a rate of 0.15 cubic metres per second, and generate 0.8 megawatts of electricity. The construction spanned from 2019 to 2024, with a budget of Rp1.4 trillion.
Prepare food self-sufficiency
The Public Works Ministry, in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry, is actively preparing a dam construction programme to bolster food security and self-sufficiency. Minister Dody Hanggodo emphasised the commitment of his ministry to develop the necessary production infrastructure and facilities to support these goals.
“From the outset, we have emphasised the role of the Public Works Ministry as the facilitator. Our focus is on preparing the irrigation infrastructure, while the Agriculture Ministry is responsible for setting up the production facilities,” Minister Dody made these remarks following a coordination meeting with Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman in December 2024.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran highlighted his department's commitment to supporting the food self-sufficiency programme through various agricultural initiatives. These initiatives include the creation of new rice fields, land optimisation, and the revitalisation of irrigation systems.
“We are also supporting the Public Works Ministry with the programme. Regarding this matter, the Agriculture Ministry will work on how these dams can increase productivity through irrigation,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Water Resources Director General Bob Arthur Lambogia reported that efforts have been made to expand the planting area through land optimisation. A key initiative includes supplying irrigation water from existing dams, with a target of covering 8,994 hectares.
Water Resources Director General Bob Arthur Lambogia has reported significant efforts to expand planting areas through land optimisation. A key initiative involves supplying irrigation water from existing dams, aiming to cover 8,994 hectares. Additionally, the Water Resources Directorate General of the Public Works Ministry is targeting an expansion of 222,717 hectares of planting area from new dams. Specifically, 74,778 hectares will be achieved through the rehabilitation of irrigation areas managed by the central government. Another 43,975 hectares will be rehabilitated in provinces and regencies using special allocation funds (DAK). Furthermore, 133,100 hectares will be addressed through the rehabilitation of irrigation areas in villages via the P3-TGAI programme. This comprehensive strategy aims to reach a total of 483,563 hectares of planting area in irrigation regions by 2025.
“The expansion of planting areas in irrigation regions has been verified by the River Basin Management Organisation (BBWS),” Director General Bob Arthur stated.
On the other hand, the expansion of planting areas is also set to be supported by the optimisation of lands and pumping. “The number will increase when combined with the planting area expansion target, supported by the optimisation of lands by 851,017 hectares and pumping by 1,000,000 hectares. The total planting area expansion set by the Water Resources Directorate General for 2025 is 2,334,580 hectares,” Director General Bob Arthur explained.
One of the key implementations of the irrigation area optimisation proposed by the Water Resources Directorate General is the rehabilitation and maintenance of swamp irrigation areas in Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.
The Water Resources Directorate General has proposed the refurbishment of channels and embankments across various locations in Central Kalimantan, covering a total of 336.53 kilometres. Additionally, the project involves constructing 39 sluice gates and 23 water valves to ensure effective water management and distribution.
In South Kalimantan, the proposal involves the rehabilitation and maintenance of channels and embankments at multiple locations. This includes a 28.16-kilometer primary channel and a 163.64-kilometer secondary channel, along with the construction of 35 water gates.
Basic infrastructure
Meanwhile, Yusuf Rendi Manilet, an economist from the Centre of Reform on Economics (Core), emphasised the importance of President Prabowo Subianto anticipating global geopolitical and economic conditions in relation to Indonesia's food self-sufficiency programme. "It is crucial for the programme to not only focus on national goals but also empower local communities surrounding the dams," he stated to Investor Daily.
He further noted that dam construction will have a positive impact on downstream areas by preventing floods, enhancing agricultural irrigation, and improving social and economic quality of life.
“We know they are basic infrastructure with benefits that cannot only be seen economically, but also socially,” he added.
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