The central government has allocated IDR20 billion for Tabalong District to develop the Jirak Food Cluster (JIFOC) integrated agriculture area in Jirak Village, Pugaan Sub-district, Tabalong, South Kalimantan.
Head of Plantation and Livestock Office Syam’ani here on Saturday said that the funding comes from the 2026 State Budget and is allocated for the development of the supporting infrastructure for JIFOC area --a continuation of the initial development previously funded by the 2025 Village Fund.
“We are preparing technical plan for development of JIFOC as an integrated agriculture area, so that it truly have a tangible impact on food security program and improve the community economy,” he said.
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According to the JIFOC Basic Design Engineering, he said, the approximately 800-hectare land is divided into three zones: wet, semi-wet, and dry.
Around 200 hectares of the wet zone are used for fisheries, around 300 hectares of the semi-wet zone are for food crops such as rice, and the remaining 300 hectares of the dry zone are designated for plantations and horticulture.
Previously, Head of Road, Bridge, and Irrigation Maintenance for Region 1 of the Tabalong PUPR Office Edy Gunawan had presented the technical plan to the regional apparatus organization (OPD) and the subd-district leaders coordination forum (forkopimca).
He explained, the irrigation to be implemented using sub-river system that utilizes tidal water, regulates ground water level, and control lowland water levels.
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“Swamp drainage in the JIFOC area is carried out by diverting water from swamp land to convert them into productive agriculture land,” he said.
Meanwhile, transportation system is designed for two modes:water and land. Currently a 4-5 meter wide water canal and 10 meter wide road have been built, that also functuion as a dike.
“The plan is to build 14 kilometers main road, as well as 10 kilometers network of dividing roads and secondary and tertiary canals, covering an area of around 400 hectares,” he added.
Pugaan Sub-district Head, Farith Yusriannur Riza, emphasized that JIFOC development is a strategic step to support food security program and making the southen region of Tabalong as the regional food barn.
Editor : Mahdani
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