Dody emphasized the importance of accelerating the completion of the irrigation network enhancement while ensuring both quality and timely delivery.
"This rehabilitation is crucial for agricultural intensification through adequate water supply. According to the regional head, the work will not disrupt the third planting season (MT III), as water flow will be maintained throughout,” he said in a written statement from Jakarta on Sunday.
The project is being implemented by the Cimanuk-Cisanggarung River Basin Agency (BBWS) to support the national food self-sufficiency agenda, which is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Astacita program.
The improvement of the DI Cikeusik irrigation network aims to restore the function and capacity of water channels to meet irrigation needs for agricultural land in Cirebon and Kuningan Districts.
Work locations include Pabuaran Kidul Village in Pabuaran Sub-District, Bojongnegara Village in Ciledug Sub-District (Cirebon District), and Jatimulya Village in Cidahu Sub-District (Kuningan District).
The project began on March 25, 2025, and is scheduled for completion by December 19, 2025. It includes the rehabilitation of the Maneungteung Timur main canal spanning 3,260 meters, which will serve 288 hectares of farmland, and the Maneungteung Kepala canal stretching 202 meters.
In addition to boosting agricultural productivity, the project has created jobs for 137 local workers and utilizes locally sourced construction materials.
Dody also stated that the ongoing riverbank reinforcement projects along the Cisanggarung and Babakan Rivers -- located along the border between Kuningan and Cirebon (West Java) and Brebes (Central Java) -- are targeted for completion in 2026. These works have been underway since 2024.
The river management project includes river normalization, concrete embankments, earth levees, gabions, revetments, retaining walls, concrete groins, and retention basins.
“The main goal of these efforts is flood control -- to ensure the river can function optimally in managing floodwater discharge,” he explained.
The 7-kilometer-long flood mitigation project along the Cisanggarung River is also aimed at reducing flood risks to downstream agricultural areas, particularly the Cikeusik Irrigation Area.
“The goal is to prevent floodwaters from spilling over into DI Cikeusik. If flooding reaches the irrigation area, it could lead to crop failure,” Dody warned.
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Translator: Aji, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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