Enhancing the performance of farmer-managed irrigation systems in the Brantas River Basin of Indonesia | |
| Author | Pasaribu, Sahat M. |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.RD-05-01 |
| Subject(s) | Irrigation--Indonesia--Brantas River Basin--Management Water in agriculture--Indonesia--Brantas River Basin |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Indonesia is an agricultural country with some 51.6 million ha of agricultural land or 70% of the total area. Rice is an important component of the Indonesian diet and its demand increases as population grows and the national economy improves. Irrigation systems play an important role in rice production. Java Island has a long experience with irrigation development and other issues related to farming. As one of the leading rice producers in the country, East Java Province was chosen as the study site to provide insight and information on irrigation management, specifically on Water Users' Associations. The development of irrigation in Indonesia has gradually improved since the adoption of modern agriculture. Appropriate irrigation management system is directed to support the efficient use of water, particularly for rice cultivation. The role of local government is considered an integral part of agricultural development. In line with the newly enhanced regional autonomy laws giving more authority to governments, they have a strong role to play in creating water potential and managing irrigation systems involving farmers as members of the Water Users' Associations. The research focused on the assessment of water allocation and distribution practices, institutional roles in conflict resolution and level of participation of water users in different activities of farmer-managed irrigation systems (FMIS). Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected through household survey, focus group discussion and interview of key informants with field observations. There were 202 households interviewed from five sub districts (11 villages). They were selected based on the criteria of water sufficiency and water deficit areas. Secondary data were gathered from statistical yearbooks and other documents from relevant government offices. Different types of analyses were applied to create different scenarios showing certain levels of irrigation performance. Analytical tools employed include statistical tests, descriptive analysis, weighted average index construction, correlation and multiple regression analysis and factor analysis. Factors affecting the performance of FMIS in rice production were identified through six regression models applied in upstream and downstream areas in East Java. In general, plot size was the most important variable in rice production. Other factors, such as the application of fertilizer, pesticide and seed had positive contributions. However, an increasing use of labor in water sufficient areas (upstream and downstream) had a negative effect on production. Field observations strongly revealed that the fa1mers' poor awareness of labor use and the frequency of canal maintenance (downstream WS), and the higher amount of seed used (downstream WD) caused a negative impact on rice production. The over use of labor in a relatively small cultivation area (plot size) was not effective. Likewise, the over maintenance of canal networks in terms of frequency and number of participants (gotong-royong) did not increase rice production. Excess seed use showed a similar result. Other influencing factors affecting the perfo1mance of FMIS were obtained in different ways. Water adequacy during dry season and fixed schedule for intermittent flow of water distribution was two most important factors influencing the performance of FMIS to keep rice fields productive. Meanwhile, the shortage of water and dissatisfaction about timeliness of water distribution were pointed out as two main sources of conflicts among farmers, and between farmers and the WUA. Farmers in upstream WS area indicated that dissatisfaction about timeliness of water distribution, frequent changes in water distribution schedule, ignorance of fairness in water distribution, inadequate water supply, and reliability of water distribution was major sources of conflict. This was in contrast with downstream WS and WD areas. Water inadequacy was a major source of conflict in all areas, i.e., WS and WD in either upstream or downstream. The high level of water inadequacy encouraged farmers to steal water and break their own rules and regulations. Stealing water was also one of the major sources of conflict in other countries. In Nepal, farmers would either approach neighbors, relatives or the village council to solve this problem. Some would rely on WUA functionaries or the association instead of facing each other to settle the dispute. In this study, WUA management accountability was considered a top priority because of its strong influence in affecting the success of WUA for rice production performance. Farmer's ability to pay irrigation fees and the acceptance of irrigation water fee system were raised as the most influencing factors affecting the success of WUA and the overall performance of FMIS. The study also revealed that farmers agreed to the amount of irrigation fee to be paid and had willingness to pay to strengthen FMIS through WUAs. However, in reality, they were unable to pay due to limited income obtained from small plot units. Under this situation, the government had to review the whole irrigation management system and had to decide whether to subsidize or completely waive irrigation water fees, and allow farmers to generate funds in their own way to operate and maintain the irrigation networks at the field level. All the findings discussed above were derived from a study tested in upstream and downstream locations with water sufficient and water deficit areas located in East Java Province. This study verified the results in six different combinations (WS and WD areas upstream and downstream, WS and WD areas upstream, and WS and WD areas downstream) to widen the application to other parts of Indonesia. The issue of irrigation fee collection and management of funds for irrigation system's operation and maintenance (O&M) could be equally extended by the government for the whole of the country. The entire study focussed on the sustainability of rice production. Since rice is also the major crop in other islands in Indonesia, the findings are valid for the whole country. However, the measurement of performance may be different when referring to specific irrigation systems in certain locations. Subak irrigation system in Bali, for instance, is a typical irrigation system where the influence of culture and religion is very strong enabling a more effective application of institutional representation, jurisdiction boundaries and rules and regulations. Many of the influencing factors such as irrigation fee, leadership accountability, sources of conflict, and water distribution are equally applicable in this system. In a broader perspective, the findings of this study are applicable in other countries taking into account common contributing factors (application of basic agricultural inputs) and typical influencing factors (sources of conflict, and irrigation fee issues, sources of conflict, and water distribution). The applicability of the findings depends on many variables. Each country has its own objectives based on its available resources, economic, political and social situation, and irrigation development policies. Likewise, the experience of some countries could be used as a basis to formulate irrigation fee policy (e.g., water charges) in Indonesia. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Routray, Jayant K.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.;Soparth Pongquan;Clemente, Roberto S.;Bernsten, Richard H.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of the Republic of Indonesia (ADB-funded PAAT Project No. 1526-INO); |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |