The construction of dams is part of a program to build new irrigation system for 1 million hectares of farmlands and rehabilitate existing irrigation system over 3 million hectares of farmlands, Basuki said here on Thursday.
"Currently, of around 7.2 hectares of irrigated farmlands, only 11 percent are guaranteed with water from dams. Later when the projects of 65 new dams have been completed the percentage would rise to 19-20 percent," he said.
He said the food security program needs the support of water security, and development of 65 dams is to increase and to maintain water supply.
Based on data from the Public Works and Housing Ministry, development of the 65 dams will increase the water holding capacity of reservoirs to 5.84 billion cubic meters that could irrigate 482,750 hectares of farmlands.
Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman
Editing by A Saragih
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
