Jakarta (ANTARA) – Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said the ministry has prepared 400 water pump units to support agricultural irrigation in anticipation of the dry season and a potential extreme El Niño.He noted that the current number is provisional and will be increased based on field requirements to ensure optimal water distribution for rice fields during the dry season.“We have prepared 400 pump units, and we will continue to add more as needed,” he said in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.Hanggodo emphasized that the deployment of the pumps is being coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture to avoid program overlap and ensure that interventions are effective and well targeted, particularly in key rice-producing areas.He added that a clear division of roles between ministries is essential so each can focus on its respective responsibilities without duplicating efforts in developing irrigation pumping systems.In addition to providing water pumps, he highlighted the importance of developing tertiary irrigation networks to ensure that distributed water can be fully utilized.With adequate irrigation infrastructure, water distribution is expected to become more efficient and effective, helping boost agricultural productivity, especially in rain-fed areas.“Our goal is for rain-fed rice fields to achieve at least two harvests per year, and ideally three,” he said.Earlier, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said his ministry is working with the Ministry of Public Works to repair irrigation networks.The effort is intended to ensure a stable water supply for farmland amid the risk of reduced rainfall that could disrupt national food production.