PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION POLICY UNDER THE INDONESIAN WATER RESOURCES LAW

Indonesian Water Resources Law issued in 2004 provide a benchmark for water resources management and development, and therefore for irrigation, policy in Indonesia. The irrigation sector affects the livelihood of Indonesian farmers, and influence nation’s food production. In accordance to the law, irrigation management be held by the government, and irrigation service fee is free within the government’s built and operated irrigation systems. However, due to limited government’s financial, material, and human resources, farmers and other beneficiaries participation in term of contribution is encouraged. The law also determines local government participation, in term of obligation, to share government’s responsibility on the base of administration boundary and the areas of irrigation systems. This policy was a form of adjustment to former policy on Irrigation issued in 2001, in which irrigation management to be handed over to farmers, and irrigation service fee is an obligation collected by farmers to finance the purpose, and government’s participation, in term of contribution, is encouraged to help farmers. However, under the new participation policy, farmers may be assigned to manage the irrigation system on behalf of the government, on condition that farmers are capable and willing to contribute 50 percent of management cost of the proposed system.

Keywords:

PIM , Indonesian Water Law , Irrigation