Irrigation water plays an important role in supporting soil fertility levels to increase agricultural productivity and food security.
Based on data from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in 2014, approximately 77% of central government irrigation networks were in good condition.
However, more than half of the irrigation networks managed by local governments were in damaged condition.
Out of a total national irrigation area of 9.1 million hectares, 6 million hectares, or 65 percent, are managed by local governments, while the remaining 3.1 million hectares fall under the authority of the central government.
To enhance the efficiency of water resource management in supporting national food security, the Faculty of Agricultural Technology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM) and the Ministry of Public Works of Indonesia launched SIPASI 2.0.
This aims to strengthen the modernization of irrigation systems in Indonesia.
SIPASI 2.0 is a web-based irrigation management system designed to improve water use efficiency and agricultural productivity.
“This system works by integrating real-time data from various sources, including rainfall sensors, soil moisture, and water levels, to provide appropriate irrigation recommendations,” said Dr. Andri Prima Nugroho, a member of the research team, to reporters on Thursday (Jun. 12).
Dr. Nugroho explained that the advantages of SIPASI 2.0 include optimizing water distribution based on plant needs and more precise data-based decision-making.
It also encompasses increased agricultural productivity, real-time monitoring, and comprehensive data integration.
With its decision support system (DSS) features, SIPASI 2.0 provides simulations and recommendations for more effective irrigation planning and management.
This thus contributes to enhancing national food security.
“Through the utilization of information technology and integrated water management systems,” he stated.
The pilot implementation of SIPASI 2.0 in the Pamukkulu and Tabo-Tabo irrigation areas, South Sulawesi, according to Dr. Nugroho, showed significant increases in irrigation efficiency and productivity.
“The implementation of SIPASI 2.0 in Pamukkulu and Tabo-Tabo, accompanied by an evaluation of irrigation modernization policies, is expected to be a pilot model for the development of modern irrigation strategies throughout Indonesia,” he said.
Dean of FTP UGM, Professor Eny Harmayani, stated that SIPASI 2.0 is a manifestation of academicians’ commitment to supporting irrigation modernization through research and expertise.
This web-based system was developed by the Center for Irrigation and Agriculture Modernization Studies at FTP UGM.
It was a collaboration with the Directorate of Technical Guidance, the Directorate General of Water Resources, and the Ministry of Public Works.
“This system was developed to accommodate the implementation of irrigation modernization in Indonesia in accordance with global societal demands to improve service, efficiency, effectiveness, and water productivity,” Professor Harmayani revealed.
Director of Technical Guidance, Ministry of Public Works, Dr. Muhammad Rizal, emphasized the importance of irrigation modernization, which has been initiated since 1985.
Indonesia anticipated this need by forming the Indonesian Irrigation Modernization Team in 2011.
According to Dr. Rizal, SIPASI 2.0 is present as a technological solution to address these modernization challenges.
“With SIPASI 2.0, we hope to significantly increase irrigation efficiency and contribute to enhancing national food security,” he explained.
The official launch of SIPASI 2.0 was conducted by Professor Eny Harmayani along with Dr. Dian Kamila, Head of Sub-directorate for Water Resources Data and Information, Ministry of Public Works.
They symbolically pressed the launch button together with irrigation modernization advisors, namely Soekarsno, Djito, Professor Sigit Supadmo Arif, and Andi Sudirman.
This occurred on May 26 during the opening of the workshop on Irrigation Modernization Evaluation and the Pilot Project for Smart Irrigation Water Management in Makassar City, South Sulawesi.
Author: Rahma Khoirunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographs: Kompas.com and FTP UGM