RRI.CO.ID, Agam - The Indonesian government has prioritized the restoration of irrigation systems to support rice fields unaffected by recent disasters in several provinces. The policy is aimed at maintaining national food production and achieving food self-sufficiency by 2026.

Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, said the focus is on irrigation channels serving productive rice fields in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. He stressed that these areas can still contribute to food supply while disaster recovery continues elsewhere.

The statement was delivered during his visit to review disaster-affected infrastructure projects in Malalak District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, Wednesday, 28 January 2026. According to the minister, the strategy is designed to ensure domestic food needs remain fulfilled.

He explained that restoring irrigation systems is a key step in keeping agricultural activities running amid post-disaster challenges. The government is seeking to prevent disruptions to rice planting schedules and harvest cycles.

For irrigation repairs in areas where rice fields were directly affected by disasters, the Ministry of Public Works will coordinate closely with the Ministry of Agriculture. The coordination aims to ensure repairs are carried out only in locations that remain viable for farming.

“For rice fields directly affected by the disaster, we must wait for guidance from the Minister of Agriculture. I do not want to repair irrigation systems that later turn out to be useless or where the land is relocated,” Dodi said. “Therefore, I will only start work after receiving confirmation that the fields can still be used for rice planting.”

In West Sumatra, the recovery of agricultural irrigation networks has already begun. The government has allocated approximately USD 25 million to restore irrigation systems damaged by the disaster across the province.

The government hopes the irrigation recovery program will accelerate the normalization of farming activities, protect rice field productivity, and strengthen national food security as Indonesia continues to face natural disaster risks.