How To Turn Over Irrigation Systems to Farmers: Questions and Decisions in Indonesia

This paper documents the process of irrigation management turnover i.e transfering small irrigation management from government to farmers. The case for turnover is well outlined, and the experience of Indonesia where over 400 systems have been turned over is documented. The Indonesian programme highlights that it is possible to successfully shift reponsibility. The immediate benefits to farmers were physical improvements to the irrigation systems. The Indonesian experience suggests that success is most likely where farmer involvement in participatory design and construction of improvements is substantial. Trained agency staff facilitate local participation in preparation and implementation of turnover. Water users register their associations and receive management authority and ownership rights for the entire irrigation system including headworks. Questions remain over the appropriate role of the government in assisting the process. It is concluded that Government intervention in the turnover process need not result in a loss of control at local level. Handover can restructure the balance between the two parties to restore a greater role for local management and ownership of resources.