ANN/THE JAKARTA POST – The Indonesian Public Works Ministry is set to scale back infrastructure projects, including dams and irrigation systems crucial for agricultural productivity, following significant budget cuts ordered by President Prabowo Subianto.
Experts warn that the move could undermine his administration’s own goal of achieving food self-sufficiency.
The ministry’s budget has been slashed by more than 70 per cent, from an initial allocation of IDR110.95 trillion (USD6.79 billion) to IDR29.57 trillion this year. The cuts are part of a broader cost-saving measure to redirect over IDR306 trillion toward priority programmes, notably the government’s free nutritious meals initiative. With reduced funding, key infrastructure developments that support agricultural output may face delays or downsizing, raising concerns over the long-term impact on national food security.
“Budget efficiency at the Public Works Ministry amounting to IDR81.38 trillion will affect achievements of priority targets,” Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said during a meeting with The House of Representatives in Jakarta.
The cut led to a reduction in new irrigation networks planned to be built this year, from 10,000 hectares (ha) to 450 ha, as well as cuts in irrigation network rehabilitation from 45,000 ha to 16,000 ha and dam constructions from 16 new dams to only one dam this year.
Other infrastructure projects, such as road maintenance, bridges and tourism development areas were also affected.
This occurred as Prabowo sped up the food self-sufficiency target from 2028 to 2027.
