Indonesia prepares 56,000 water pumps to mitigate drought
Indonesia will deploy 56,000 water pumps in FY2026 to mitigate drought and safeguard rice production amid climate change. About 11,000 pumps have been distributed and 20,000 are being deployed, alongside expanded farm mechanisation, to improve irrigation, productivity and national food security.
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Agriculture is preparing 56,000 water pumps in the 2026 fiscal year as a national drought mitigation measure to maintain food production amidst the threat of the dry season and climate change.
“The pumping program is the government’s strategy to ensure that rice fields continue to receive water supplies so that food self-sufficiency can be maintained,” Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.
He emphasized that pumping is the most immediate solution to anticipate the impact of drought. Therefore, the government continues to accelerate the distribution of water pumps to various rice production centers that still have accessible water sources.
Sulaiman noted that the experience of dealing with El Niño in recent years shows that water availability is the determining factor in successfully maintaining food production.
Therefore, pumping is combined with agricultural modernization through the distribution of various machinery so that farmers can increase productivity while adapting to climate change.
Director General of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities at the Ministry of Agriculture, Andi Nur Alam Syah, stated that the ministry continues to accelerate the distribution of water pumps to areas experiencing drought, especially rice production centers that still have surface water sources such as rivers, reservoirs, and irrigation canals.
Syah explained that of the total 56,000 water pumps prepared for the 2026 fiscal year, approximately 11,000 units have been distributed to beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, approximately 20,000 other units are in the distribution process based on proposals from local governments, particularly in areas experiencing drought.
According to him, the pumps will soon be installed to irrigate affected rice fields, allowing farmers to continue planting and maintain productivity during the dry season.
In addition to accelerating pump distribution, the ministry is strengthening agricultural modernization by distributing various machinery, including two-wheeled and four-wheeled tractors, rice transplanters, combine harvesters, and other mechanized equipment.
These efforts are aimed at increasing farming efficiency, accelerating the planting season, and reducing crop losses.
Farmers requiring assistance with water pumps or other agricultural machinery can submit their requests through Field Extension Officers or the District/City Agriculture Office, according to applicable mechanisms.
All proposals will be verified and prioritized based on the level of need and the conditions of the affected areas.
Recipients of government assistance include Farmer Groups, Farmer Group Associations, Agricultural Machinery Service Providers, and other farmer economic institutions registered in the Agricultural Extension Management Information System (SIMLUHTAN) or e-Banper.
Agricultural machinery assistance can also be provided to eligible Food Brigades and local governments that manage agricultural machinery brigades to facilitate faster and more flexible mobilization of equipment between regions in need.
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Source : ANTARA News
