Governmental Priorities in Irrigation Project Selection in Indonesia

Abstract

Irrigation development in Indonesia is directed at both traditional economic efficiency objectives and socioeconomic objectives related to self-sufficiency in rice production, improved income to individual farmers, and the transmigration program. The criteria used to select projects in the light of these objectives are divided into two distinct categories: physical potential and sociological suitability of the project area. The sociological suitability is related particularly to the sociopolitical support for transmigration and regional development and the readiness or ability of farmers to exploit new technical irrigation schemes. The various features (such as utilization of existing irrigation schemes in the area, productivity of farmers, irrigation efficiency, use of new technologic inputs and operation and maintenance activities in those existing fields, and the level of existing agricultural support services) that contribute to assessment of physical potential and sociological suitability of irrigation projects are examined in detail in this paper. Changes in the type and location of the irrigation projects selected for implementation occurring as a result of varying the priorities on each of the objectives are described.