PURWAKARTA – Group 15 students of the Karsa Desa Community Service Program (KKN-D) at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) successfully completed the construction of an irrigation dam in Parungbanteng Village, Sukasari District, Purwakarta Regency. This project aims to help the local community enhance crop yields through a more efficient irrigation system.
Previously, local farmers relied on rain-fed agriculture, leading to an imbalance in water supply. During the rainy season, excess water often went to waste, while in the dry season, water shortages limited farming productivity. Ideally, agricultural production could reach three harvests per year, but water scarcity hindered this potential.
The leader of Group 15, M. Raisa Fahmi Firmansyah (Mechanical Engineering, 2022), explained that the dam was constructed using trapezoidal-shaped river stones, reinforced with concrete and plastered. These materials were chosen due to their abundant availability in Kampung Wangun. The dam is also equipped with a semicircular crest at the top to regulate water levels, impound the river, and prevent soil erosion using a spillway system that channels excess water efficiently.
The dam, measuring 6.2 meters in length, with a foundation height of 0.8 meters and an overall height of 1.5 meters, was built from August 8 to August 21, 2024, with the involvement of both students and local residents. Imam Choerurizki (Ocean Engineering, 2022) stated that the construction process went smoothly, thanks to community support and guidance from Dr. Ana Nurganah Chaidar, S.T., M.T., from the Water Resources Engineering Expertise Group, Department of Water Resources Engineering and Management.
Beyond the irrigation project, KKN-D students also organized educational activities at SDN 02 Parungbanteng. First-grade students participated in a coloring activity featuring various professions to inspire career aspirations, while fifth-grade students learned about irrigation systems through a simple model made from perforated bottles.
During their three-week KKN-D program, students gained invaluable experiences in understanding rural life. Ayesha Dhanya Jashanty Juansyah (Ocean Engineering, 2022) shared her impressions of the challenging terrain and limited infrastructure, which deepened her empathy for the local community.
Imam expressed hope that the dam would improve agricultural productivity for the residents. He emphasized that students are not heroes who can solve all problems, but by combining academic knowledge with community experience, practical and beneficial solutions can be achieved.
Reporter: Maharani Rachmawati Purnomo (Oceanography, 2020)
Source: itb.ac.id
