Euroconsult… … Lessons learned Participation in Indonesian irrigation projects comparative evaluation of decentralized irrigation projects in eastern Indonesia Erwin Hofman Jakarta, 15 August 2012 DRAFT 2 Abstract There is widespread support in academics for the idea of participatory irrigation management. Since 1999 a shift has taken place in Indonesia from central government steering to regional governance, accompanied by a growth of public participation. Since 2004 this trend has entered the irrigation sector. Participatory programmes are however frequently unsuccessful, and new programmes needlessly repeat the mistakes of the past. Clarity about the critical success factors of the implementation of participation in irrigation is therefore necessary. In order to assess the critical success and failure factors of participatory irrigation management projects, four irrigation projects in Indonesia have been studied. Performance indicators have been used to identify the extent to which the projects called Bena, Toraut, Paguyaman and Jurang Sate are successful. The success is evaluated based on triangulated data collected through document analysis, observation and interviews with farmers, consultants and government officials. Success is varying among the case studies. Positive points include the activity of water users associations in Bena, the good state of the irrigation system in Toraut, the influence of farmers in irrigation management in Paguyaman and the adoption of SRI in Jurang Sate. Negative point include the poor state of the irrigation system in Bena, the lack of farmers’ discipline in Toraut, the non-engagement of women in Paguyaman and the financial situation of associations in Jurang Sate. Several lessons can be learnt concerning the critical success and failure factors of participatory irrigation management. The most important issue is that the responsibilities of the different government bodies become clear, and that preferably one single agency is dedicated to the participation of farmers. Participation of farmers should not mean the withdrawal of the government, and the government should continuously guide the farmers and WUAs in their activities. Abstract | Lessons learned: irrigation projects in Indonesia i Preface This report contains the result of research undertaken at the Decentralised Irrigation System Improvement Project II in the Eastern Region of Indonesia (DISIMP-II). The report serves as a thesis as finalisation of the double degree master programme in Environmental & Infrastructure Planning at the Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesia) and University of Groningen (Netherlands). The research is funded by Euroconsult Mott MacDonald in Arnhem and NEDECO Netherlands Engineering Consultants in Amsterdam. I would like to thank my thesis advisors, being Prof. Dr. Ir. Johan Woltjer (University of Groningen) and Dr. Sri Maryati (Bandung Institute of Technology). In addition, my thanks go to Geerte van der Meijden, who arranged my internship at Euroconsult Mott MacDonald, and Philip Richardson, my internship supervisor and the DISIMP-II project leader. Besides, I want to thank all of the colleagues at the DISIMP-II project office in Jakarta, in particular Bambang Supriadi (co- team leader). Many people are really appreciated for their assistance at the four case study locations. At the case study locations my thanks go to the field staff, local consultants and drivers in Bena, Toraut, Paguyaman and Jurang Sate. For the data collection I was especially assisted by the four subproject leaders, and some of their staff. They are Anang Nugrolestyono, Handoko Atmodjo (Bena), Wiji Sejati (Toraut), Djoko Santosa, Hana Efendi (Paguyaman), Chairil Anwar and Ayi Sutari (Jurang Sate). The information received through interviews has been very valuable, so I thank all of the interviewees, who are listed in annex 1. Finally, I would like to thank my classmates at ITB and RUG, and specifically the other members of the ‘DD Belanda’. In addition, I want to thank my family and my girlfriend Emma for their moral support. Preface | Lessons learned: irrigation projects in Indonesia ii Table of contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................ i Preface ................................................................................................................................................................. ii Table of contents ............................................................................................................................................ iii List of figures and tables ................................................................................................................................ v List of figures ................................................................................................................................................................... v List of tables .................................................................................................................................................................... v Acronyms and definitions ............................................................................................................................ vi List of acronyms, terms and symbols ...................................................................................................................vi Currencies ..................................................................................................................................................................... vii Administrative divisions of Indonesia ............................................................................................................... vii Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 § 1.1 – Background ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 § 1.2 – Research problem ........................................................................................................................................... 2 § 1.3 – Research objectives and questions .......................................................................................................... 2 § 1.4 – Relevance ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 § 1.5 – Methods and outline ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Theoretical framework .................................................................................................................................. 5 § 2.1 – Irrigation and irrigation management ................................................................................................... 5 § 2.2 – Participation...................................................................................................................................................... 7 § 2.3 – Participation in irrigation ......................................................................................................................... 10 § 2.4 – Indonesian regulation of PIM.................................................................................................................. 14 § 2.5 – Conceptualising success ............................................................................................................................ 17 § 2.6 – Model for implementation of participation ...................................................................................... 18 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................... 19 § 3.1 – Case studies .................................................................................................................................................... 19 § 3.2 – Performance indicators ............................................................................................................................. 22 § 3.3 – Data collection ............................................................................................................................................... 27 § 3.4 – Analysis ............................................................................................................................................................ 28 § 3.5 – Limitations ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 Case studies ..................................................................................................................................................... 30 § 4.1 – Bena ................................................................................................................................................................... 30 § 4.2 – Toraut ................................................................................................................................................................ 35 § 4.3 – Paguyaman.....................................................................................................................................................