Waterschappen (Irrigation Agencies) Management in Vorstenlanden Surakarta and Yogyakarta, 1900-1942
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HUMANIORA VOLUME 29 Number 2 June 2017 Page 150–158 Waterschappen (Irrigation Agencies) Management in Vorstenlanden Surakarta and Yogyakarta, 1900-1942 Machmoed Effendhie Universitas Gadjah Mada Email: [email protected] Arif Rahman Bramantya Graduate Student, Universitas Gadjah Mada Email: [email protected] AbStrAct The purpose of this study is to track the introduction of the irrigation agency (Watershappen) in the Vorstenlanden area Surakarta and Yogyakarta as well as effects on the relationship between farmers, farmers and plantation owners. In addition, this study aims to understand the patterns of institutional change and the water distribution system in the Vorstenlanden region and consequently on agriculture and plantation. State involvement in the problem of water distribution in the Vorstenlanden area causing a collision between a proportional system that has been done by the traditional farmers with absolute system applied state. As a result, irrigation conflicts arise between plantations because of the use of a watershed point for some plantations. Conflicts between plantations and farmers because of water scarcity due to the autonomy of the estate in the distribution of water to agricultural land and conflicts between farmers as water encroachment without the knowledge of other farmers. Keywords: Watershappen, Vorstenlanden, proportional system, absolute system, conflicts IntroductIon Waterschaap Kantoor voor Vorstenlanden is a unit Vorstenlanden is a king territory covering an area of of irrigation from the Office of Inspector of the Surakarta Sunanate (Kasunanan Surakarta), Duchy Bureau of Technical Administration Surakarta and of Mangkunegaran (Kadipaten Mangkunegaran), Yogyakarta (Technische Zeljbestuurdiensten in Yogyakarta Sultanate (Kasultanan Yogyakarta), Vorstenlanden) that serves as a technical advisor and Duchy of Pakualaman (Kadipaten services agencies in the autonomous governments Pakualaman). Institutions that take care in Surakarta and Yogyakarta (MVO Helsdingen, of irrigation in the Vorstenlanden region is 1929: 93). Waterschap Centraal Kantoor voor Vorstenlanden Waterschapp Dengkeng and Bengawan and it is under the Department van Verkeer en in Surakarta and Waterschapp Opak Progo in Waterstaat. Waterschap Centraal Kantoor voor Yogyakarta, responsible for structuring technical Vorstenlanden, or better known Waterschappen, and administrative irrigation. Waterschapp as legal based in Yogyakarta. The Institute is a technical entities are expected to act neutral in resolving institution and supervision of irrigation in conflicts of interest betweenonderneming Surakarta and Yogyakarta. Structurally, Centraal owners and farmers. This research tries to trace 150 Machmoed Effendhie - Waterschappen in Vorstenlanden, 1900-1942 the development of modern irrigation agency In addition, this study aims to un derstand the (Waterschappen) in the Vorstenlanden region patterns of institutional change a nd the water Surakarta and Yogyakarta and consequences distribution system in the Vorsten landen region thereof. For a century, since the opening and consequently on agriculture an d plantation Vorstenlanden regions for plantation areas, sector. In order to answer the afo rementioned the owners have enjoyed the right to use water research questions, I will analyse information resources for operational plantations purposes. gathered from primary and secondar y sources. Meanwhile, plantations and agricultural interests This study mostly uses the primary source in of the people who wear the same land for plantation the form of archives. Information from archival crops and food crops, and also require the same sources will be sought from offici al sources of water, has raised the issue of water distribution. the colonial government, especially reports stored That is because there is no application of the rules at Library and regional archives in Yogyakarta, of fair and neutral irrigation for farmers, for the Pakualaman, and Mangkunegaran. Se condary autonomous government and for plantations in sources are obtained from nationa l libraries in the distribution of water for agricultural purposes Jakarta and several libraries in Yogyakarta. (Rouffaer, 1921: 380). The involvement of the state in matters of orgAnIzAtIonAl And operAtIonAl water distribution in the Vorstenlanden area have AreA WAtERschAp cEntRAAl KAntooR caused collision between a proportional system vooR voRstEnlAndEn and absolute system. Proportional system have Waterschapp Centraal Kantoor voor Vorstenlanden been long established by the traditional farmers founded in 1917. The operations area includes based on the size of the area of land to be drained. the Waterschapp Opak Progo (Yogyakarta), Meanwhile, the absolute system applied state, the Waterschapp Dengkeng and Waterschapp drainage of water on agricultural land are based on Bengawan (Surakarta). Meanwhile, units of agronomic considerations such as the need for water irrigation in the region of Yogyakarta (Bestuur on each plant. Absolute system have been based van Het Waterschapp Opak-Progo) there is an on the consideration of technical and agronomic Advisory Board (Raad van Waterschapp Opak- standard, based on the condition of plants in an Progo) whose members consist of several agencies, agricultural area. (Ravesteijn, 1998: 105.). At the among others planter (Beheerder Onderneming), turn of the 20th century began to change because of Assistant Resident, municipal inspectors increased concern for the welfare of the indigenous (Controleur Binenlands Bestuur), Regent, Head of population and the strong political influence of the subdistrict (Wedana), and the Head Office of land sugar industry. Irrigation agencies converted into affairs. Irrigation Unit in Surakarta (Waterschapp an independent organization with a technocratic Dengkeng and Bengawan) contained Irrigation ideology by linking irrigation wit h prosperity, Council whose members include elements of progress, and civilization. Technocratic ideology is the duke as a representative of the autonomous what eventually became a very important element governments, official representative of the in the policy of ethical politics. residents, and representatives from the company’s Based on the above, the main issues that arises plantations. (Article 10 Vorstenlandsche is why the modern irrigation once established Waterschapp Ordonance (VWO) in NI Gazette, institutions in the Vorstenlanden region it raises No. 722 , 1922). new issues of the institutional aspects and farmers For the technical implementation is done relationships with farmers, farmer relations with by the Technical OfficeTechnische ( Dienst). plantation owners. The purpose of this study is The Technical Service employee is employed to investigate the process of esta blishment of Waterschapp Centraal Kantoor personnel from modern irrigation in the Vorstenla nden region the Technical Office. Meanwhile, underTecnische and its consequences on relations between Dienst there Technische Amtenaren which is the farmers, farmers and plantation ow ners, and the technical officers consisting of two natives. Under relationship between the owners of the plantation. the Technische Amtenaren there are three sections: 151 Humaniora, Vol. 29, Number 2 June 2017 South Section (Sectie Zuid), West Section (Sectie damming permanently. The task of irrigation West), and Eastern Section (Sectie Oost). Sections orderly conduct supervision of foreman. Foreman supervised some onderneming. Head section is and foreman assistant in charge of overseeing the held by indigenous and assisted in their duties irrigation channel. Foreman assistant is the lowest by Irrigation Foreman (Mandor Water Beheer). echelon in irrigation agencies. Across the regions Irrigation Foreman appointed by Bestuur van Surakarta and Yogyakarta, the number of orderlies het Waterschapp-Opak Progo and given a salary personnel about 50 people and the amount of and salary increases each year over the proposed irrigation foreman 300 (Joon, 1940: 5). Section Head with the approval of Chief Technical Technical and administrative arrangement Office. Irrigation Foremen assisted in their duties by of irrigation has been conducted in Waterschapp some employees maid (Hulppersoneel) consisting Dengkeng and Bengawan (Surakarta) and Staff foreman (Hulpmandoer), Doorman water Waterschapp Opak Progo (Yogyakarta). All (Sluiwachter), Guard Dam (Damwachter), and matters relating to the operation and maintenance Guard Sijphon (Sjiphonwaker). In addition there is of irrigation facilities, are handled by a semi- also a Mantri Oeloe-Oeloe (Archive Waterschapp autonomous agency. The legal consequences of Opak-Progo 1929-1942, Collection number 2228 the establishment of semi-autonomous agency / H Bd. 1170). of irrigation is the revocation of the right to By hierarchical, Waterschappen based on development and exploitation of irrigation the unity of irrigation sections and in afdeeling facilities previously held by plantation owners level headed by an engineer. Section chief in (Joon, 1940: 2). Some of the irrigation department charge of irrigation orderlies (mantri) and under in the autonomous region Vorstenlanden melted. irrigation orderly contained foreman (mandor) In Mangkunegaran, for example, in 1926 the positions. Section chief duties include organizing irrigation department Karanganyar merged into and planning the technical aspects such as Waterschapp Bengawan. Section of Sragen region Figure 1 Organizational Structure Institute of irrigation in Vorstenlanden