INDONESIA – How improved irrigation is transforming Indramayu farmers’ economy

West Java, Indonesia – Water scarcity remains a major constraint to developing agricultural potential, and this challenge is felt by farmers in South Indramayu Regency in Indonesia. Limited and unreliable access to irrigation has long affected farm productivity in the area. To address this issue, the Wahana Masyarakat Tani dan Nelayan Indonesia (WAMTI) Indramayu initiated the construction of new irrigation channels in South Indramayu, with support from the government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the Integrated Participatory Development and Management of Irrigation Project (IPDMIP).

According to Wawan Sugiarto, STP, Chairman of WAMTI Indramayu, farmers in South Indramayu are planning to develop new irrigation channels for rice fields by utilizing water from the Jatiluhur and Jatigede reservoirs. The proposed plan includes the construction of approximately 200 kilometers of transverse irrigation channels extending southward. This irrigation development initiative is also intended to offset the growing conversion of agricultural land to non-farm uses.

“We are looking at how to optimize existing water potential while opening new rice fields and building new irrigation channels,” Wawan explained. “Although irrigation channels were developed during the colonial era, there has been no significant construction of new channels from the reform era until today. Based on the existing master plan, we aim to encourage the government and relevant stakeholders to connect the water sources of the Jatigede and Jatiluhur reservoirs.”

Wawan further noted that farmers in southern Indramayu frequently face suboptimal irrigation due to the region’s highland topography. Most existing systems are rainfed, leaving farmers heavily dependent on natural rainfall. “Because of the higher elevation of the paddy fields, farmers are unable to irrigate their land effectively and can usually harvest only once a year,” he added.

The construction of the South Indramayu Channel is expected to significantly improve water availability for agricultural land, given the large capacity of both the Jatigede and Jatiluhur reservoirs to address water shortages in the region.

To advance the initiative, WAMTI has conducted development planning deliberations (musrenbang) with relevant institutions in Indramayu Regency. “The response has been very positive. Stakeholders have confirmed that combining the water flows from the two reservoirs has great potential to irrigate our agricultural lands,” Wawan said. He expressed hope that the transverse channel connecting Jatigede and Jatiluhur reservoirs can be realized through funding from the national budget (APBN).

Beyond expanding irrigation coverage, the project is expected to strengthen Indramayu Regency’s role as a National Rice Barn, building on its position as the largest agricultural area in West Java.