Sugiarto made the request while inspecting irrigation facilities in Pematang Lalang Village, Percut Sei Tuan Sub-district, Deli Serdang District, North Sumatra, on Monday, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
Based on the results of his inspection at the local River Basin Management Authority (BBWS), irrigation normalization activities have been carried out this year.
A budget has also been provided to carry out normalization. He also asked the local government to not only carry out normalization, but also ensure that primary, secondary, and tertiary irrigation canals keep operating.
He emphasized that village heads should pay attention to the irrigation program. They have been urged to carry out monitoring and make sure that irrigation activities keep running.
This has been done to help farmers carry out three harvests a year, which is also part of efforts to support the realization of national food self-sufficiency.
Sugiarto highlighted that regional governments must take quick measures. Sediment must be removed with the help of heavy equipment that can move agilely or long-arm equipment that can move up and down dextrously.
Furthermore, the deputy minister urged all regional heads, including governors, district heads, and mayors, to give full support to irrigation improvement.
All officials in regions are expected to move jointly to monitor the conditions in the field, as well as ensure synergy between ministries and agencies.
"In the upstream, regional governments should monitor the (food) production process, while in the downstream, they should monitor the distribution process or prices," he said.
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Translator: Narda Margaretha, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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