Stakeholder engagement in irrigation water management: the case of Karanganyar Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

The increasing level of water demand leads to higher pressure in the water irrigation system due to environmental degradation in watersheds and irrigation canals. Irrigation water management requires the involvement of stakeholders, including the government and farmers, as the water user association. Stakeholders are expected to be able to carry out their respective roles and be engaged in solving problems of proper irrigation water management. This paper uses a qualitative approach to stakeholders’ roles, challenges, and opportunities in irrigation water management in Karanganyar Regency. It aims to understand stakeholder engagement in irrigation water management. The data were collected by observation and interviews with stakeholders such as national irrigation commissions, provinces, local governments, and water user associations. The results show that there has been a clear division of roles and responsibilities among the stakeholders included in the irrigation commission. However, it is found that there is an asynchronous regulation in implementing irrigation water management at the national, provincial, and local levels. The lack of human resources is another obstacle faced in irrigation water management in Karanganyar Regency.