South Manokwari, July 18, 2026 – Efforts to accelerate the digital transformation of Indonesia’s water resources sector continue to expand into Eastern Indonesia through the implementation of the Decision Support System (DSS) SIPASI 2.0, an innovation developed by the Center for Irrigation and Agricultural Modernization Studies (PKMIP), Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM). Through the kick-off meeting of the Oransbari Irrigation Area Digital Monitoring Program for Fiscal Year 2026, the Papua Barat River Basin Organization (BWS Papua Barat), in collaboration with FTP UGM, officially commenced the implementation of an integrated digital irrigation management system combining real-time irrigation monitoring with a decision support system to promote smarter, more adaptive, and sustainable irrigation management.

Kick-Off of the Digital Irrigation Monitoring Program

The kick-off meeting for the Oransbari Irrigation Area Digital Monitoring Program was held at the Papua Barat River Basin Organization (BWS Papua Barat) Office on July 18, 2026. The event marked the official launch of a collaborative initiative between BWS Papua Barat and the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, aimed at advancing irrigation digitalization in Eastern Indonesia.

The meeting was attended by Wempy Nauw, S.T., M.T., Head of BWS Papua Barat, together with Prof. Dr. Ir. Eni Harmayani, M.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology UGM, accompanied by Lukman Asmara Gandi, S.T., Contract Signing Officer (PPK) for the Papua Barat Water Resources Operation and Maintenance Unit.

The collaboration serves as the foundation for implementing the Oransbari Irrigation Area Digital Monitoring Program, which seeks to accelerate the transition toward technology-based irrigation management.

Cross-Sector Collaboration and Field Activities

Beyond the kick-off meeting, a multidisciplinary team from Universitas Gadjah Mada, coordinated by the Center for Irrigation and Agricultural Modernization Studies (PKMIP) under Prof. Dr. Ir. Sigit Supadmo Arif, M.Eng., Professor of Irrigation Engineering and Management at FTP UGM, and Dr. Eng. Ansita Gupitakingkin Pradipta, S.T., M.Eng., Head of PKMIP and lecturer at the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, conducted a series of field surveys and institutional coordination activities across Papua Barat.

To collect primary data and prepare for digital monitoring implementation, the team carried out comprehensive field assessments covering the Oransbari irrigation system from the diversion weir to tertiary canals. These surveys aimed to evaluate existing infrastructure conditions, identify suitable locations for digital monitoring devices, and assess irrigation system reliability as part of the bridging process toward irrigation modernization.

The team also interviewed irrigation management agencies, operation and maintenance personnel, and local farmers to evaluate the Irrigation Modernization Readiness Index (IKMI). This assessment was designed to determine the institutional and community readiness to adopt digital technologies for more efficient irrigation management.

Strengthening Collaboration with Local Government

To reinforce institutional coordination, the UGM team also visited the Papua Barat Provincial Public Works and Housing Agency (PUPR) and the Provincial Office of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantations.

During the meetings, the team emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in supporting digital irrigation modernization. Provincial government representatives expressed their commitment to supporting the program through data sharing, technical information, and other necessary resources throughout the implementation process.

Figure 4. The UGM team met with representatives of the Papua Barat Provincial Public Works and Housing Agency (PUPR) and the Provincial Office of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantations to strengthen institutional collaboration for the implementation of the Oransbari Digital Irrigation Monitoring Program.

Irrigation Modernization through Digital Monitoring and DSS SIPASI 2.0

The Oransbari Irrigation Area Digital Monitoring Program represents a strategic initiative to accelerate the transition from conventional irrigation management toward digital irrigation management in Eastern Indonesia. The digital monitoring system will not only provide real-time monitoring of irrigation infrastructure but will also be fully integrated with the Decision Support System (DSS) SIPASI 2.0.

SIPASI 2.0 (Irrigation Decision Support System) is an innovation developed by the Center for Irrigation and Agricultural Modernization Studies (PKMIP), Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The platform integrates field monitoring data with data-driven analytical tools to generate operational recommendations for irrigation managers, enabling more efficient water distribution, improved maintenance planning, and faster decision-making.

Through the integration of digital monitoring and DSS SIPASI 2.0, information such as irrigation infrastructure conditions, water discharge, system status, and field observations is transformed into evidence-based recommendations that support faster, more accurate, and transparent irrigation operations.

The implementation of SIPASI in the Oransbari Irrigation Area builds upon previous deployments in several Indonesian irrigation schemes, including the Pamukkulu Irrigation Area and Tabo-Tabo Irrigation Area in South Sulawesi. Experiences from these projects have contributed to the development of SIPASI 2.0, which offers improved integration with digital monitoring technologies and is specifically designed to support irrigation modernization across diverse regional characteristics, including Eastern Indonesia.

The implementation of Digital Monitoring integrated with DSS SIPASI 2.0 marks another milestone in expanding the application of PKMIP FTP UGM’s technological innovations. The program is expected to become a pilot project for irrigation digitalization in Eastern Indonesia while accelerating the digital transformation of water resources management toward a more modern, adaptive, efficient, and sustainable irrigation system.

Toward a Digital Irrigation Pilot Project in Eastern Indonesia

Through the kick-off meeting and subsequent field activities, BWS Papua Barat and FTP UGM reaffirmed their commitment to developing a modern, adaptive, and technology-driven irrigation management system.

The Oransbari Irrigation Area Digital Monitoring Program is expected to become a pilot project for digital irrigation modernization in Eastern Indonesia. By integrating field monitoring technologies with DSS SIPASI 2.0, developed by PKMIP FTP UGM, the initiative is envisioned as a national model for data-driven water resources management, enhancing irrigation service efficiency while strengthening food security, particularly across Eastern Indonesia.