The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) through the Directorate General of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities (PSP) created the Tertiary Irrigation Network Rehabilitation (RJIT) program in Melawi Regency, West Kalimantan. The Ministry of Agriculture's RJIT program is realized with a channel length of 168 meters and an outer cross-section width of 80 centimeters which serves a land area of 25 hectares of land owned by farmers. The program for the 87 Independent Farmers Group succeeded in increasing the productivity of farmers, especially in Semadin Lengkong Village, Nanga Pinoh District. The Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) emphasized the importance of water management to support farmer productivity. Because, said Minister of Agriculture SYL, water supply must always be available so that agricultural cultivation can develop well as well. "Therefore, water management is very important to always pay attention to. The RJIT program is an effort from the Ministry of Agriculture to regulate water supply to farmers," explained Minister of Agriculture SYL.
The Director General of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities (PSP) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ali Jamil explained the central role of irrigation water in the development of agricultural cultivation. According to Ali, the malfunction or damage to one of the irrigation structures will affect the performance of the irrigation system. "So, irrigation water management must be carried out from upstream to downstream. Because irrigation has a very vital role. If it is damaged, the efficiency and effectiveness of irrigation will decrease," said Ali.
According to Ali, disruption of agricultural irrigation will also disrupt agricultural productivity in an area. On that basis, water management is one of the factors that must be considered properly. "Water management is a key factor in whether agricultural cultivation develops well or not," said Ali. Through the RJIT program, Ali explained, the condition of the irrigation network infrastructure will be improved. The hope, will be able to improve the function of irrigation services that are getting better as well. Ali said, there are many advantages of this RJIT program. In addition to increasing productivity, one of the other goals that can be achieved is to increase the planted area or Planting Index (IP).
Director of Agricultural Irrigation, Rahmanto explained, one of the other advantages of this program is also being able to increase the participation of Water-Using Farmers' Associations (P3A)/Joints (GP3A)/Farmers' Groups (Poktan)/Joint Poktans in the management of irrigation networks. Director of Agricultural Irrigation, Rahmanto explained, one of the other advantages of this program is also being able to increase the participation of Water-Using Farmers' Associations (P3A)/Joints (GP3A)/Farmers' Groups (Poktan)/Joint Poktans in the management of irrigation networks. "We will continue to program this RJIT because it is a basic need for farmers in producing and increasing their productivity," he said.
