INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT IRRIGATION PROJECT

IN ACEH PROVINCE

Junira Ardiana1, Djaya Sukarno2

1
Head Division of Planning and Program BWS Sumatera I
2
Head Office of River Basin Organization - Sumatera I

Abstract

IPDMIP (Integrated Participatory Development and Management of Irrigation

Program) is a strategic government program in irrigation area intended to achieve a
sustainable irrigation system located in regional authority of ministry, province and
regency. Jambo Aye is one of irrigation field which belong to authority of ministry in
Aceh Province. It has 19,473 Ha field rice area crossed North Aceh Regency for 15,993
Ha and East Aceh Regency for 3,480 Ha. The system and its irrigation distribution
built in the beginning year of 1980 and started the operation in 1983. The irrigation
system had been irrigating the rice field for both regencies for almost 36 years. The
IPDMIP program in particular aiming to repratiate the function and the system of
irrigation area comprehensively alongside the social issue. Growing rate of irrigation
land conservation and high amount of leakage along the irrigation canal becoming the
trending cases to [Link] accomplishment vision as a succesfull project from
this irrigation program are; (1) increasing rice productivity for food sustainibility, (2)
developing of high value crops to improve rural livelihood, (3) acquiring irrigation
infrastructur productively including sustainable management.

Keywords : Irrigation, integrated, development, management

Background
IPDMIP (Integrated Participatory Development and Management of Irrigation
Program) is a government program in the field of irrigation that aims to achieve the
sustainability of the irrigation system, both the central authority's irrigation system,
provincial authority, and district authority. IPDMIP aims to realize national food
sovereignty that puts forward the progress of the agricultural sector, as well as
improving the welfare of Indonesian farmers. IPDMIP encourages the management of
irrigation in an integrative and participatory manner, in realizing national food
sovereignty that puts forward the progress of the agricultural sector and increases the
welfare of Indonesian farmers.
The rationale for the IPDMIP activity is to fully realize the potential for poverty
reduction in irrigated agriculture. Based on the experience of irrigation development
that has been carried out so far, it is realized that there are factors that hinder the
increase in productivity of smallholders in Indonesia. These factors include: (i) weak
institutional farmers, water and irrigation; (ii) maintenance of poor irrigation system
infrastructure; (iii) poor agricultural extension; (iv) limited access of sharecroppers to
village funding sources; (v) unclear land ownership; (vi) technological gaps, and (vii)
the potential for neglected high-value commodities.
The scope of the IPDMIP program area is in 74 districts in 16 provinces in
Indonesia, for the period of 2017 - 2022. One of the Irrigation Areas (DI) of the Central
Authority in the Province of Aceh is DI Jambo Aye with a standard area of 19,473 Ha
with cross-regency sprawling in North Aceh Regency 15,993 Ha and East Aceh District
3,480 Ha. The Jambo Aye D.I system and network were built in the early 1980s and
began operating in 1983. The service life that has reached 36 years has certainly
decreased in physical and service conditions.
Based on Law No. 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government and Minister of
PUPR Regulation No. 14 / PRT / M / 2015 concerning Criteria and Determination of
Irrigation Area (DI) Status, responsibilities for the construction and operation and
maintenance (O&M) of irrigation networks are regulated as follows: (i) The Central
Government is responsible for DI with an area of> 3,000 Ha and DI Cross-Province;
(ii) the Provincial Government is responsible for DI with an area of between 1,000 -
3,000 Ha and across the Regency / City; (iii) Regency / City Governments are
responsible for DI <1,000 Ha. IPDMIP activities involve the Central Government
through four ministries, namely the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, the
Ministry of Planning and National Development / BAPPENAS, the Ministry of Home
Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as involving the Balai / Balai Besar River
Basin and related Departments in the Provincial and Regency Regional Governments /
Cities that are the locations of IPDMIP activities.
Irrigation management is one of the main supporting sectors for the success of
agricultural development, especially in the context of increasing food production,
especially rice. But in its development the performance of irrigation management has
decreased due to several things such as: maintenance activities; repair or maintenance
of irrigation networks that are delayed (divert maintenance); damage due to human
activities and natural disasters. These things cause damage to the irrigation network. In
addition, the development of the irrigation sector requires a detailed and accurate
picture of the irrigation conditions, obstacles encountered, the possibility of
development and challenges that arise.
Increasing food security, income and livelihoods of rural communities in Indonesia
through an integrated irrigation and agriculture program continues to be carried out and
needs to be supported by all parties. The support of quality human resources through
the involvement and empowerment of the farming community is one of the
government's efforts to maintain the integration and sustainability of the development
and management of irrigation systems as well as improving agricultural business in
each Irrigation Region (DI) in Indonesia.

Government efforts related to farmer empowerment include through the Empowerment

of Water Users Farmers' Association (P3A), which is generally focused on empowering
organizations / institutions and human resources both men and women as participatory
irrigation providers. The farmer institution referred to here is a farmer institution
located in a local institution, in the form of membership organizations or cooperatives,
ie farmers who are members of a cooperation group. This institutionalization includes
a broad understanding, which in addition to covering the understanding of farmer
organizations, also the 'rules of the game' or rules of behavior that determine patterns
of action and social relations, including social unity, social unity which is a concrete
form of the institution (Anantayu, 2011).

Regulation of the Minister of Public Works and Housing of the Republic of

Indonesia number 30 / PRT / M / 2015 article 10 concerning the Development and
Management of Irrigation Systems, states that in organizing the development of an
irrigation system for farmers or Water User Farmers 'Associations (P3A) or Water User
Farmers' Association Associations ( GP3A), or the Water User Farmers' Association
(IP3A) can participate from the initial thinking, decision making, implementation of
development activities, and improvement of irrigation networks. Participation of
farming communities / P3A / GP3A / IP3A in the development and management of
irrigation systems is intended to increase ownership, sense of responsibility and ability
of water user farmer associations in order to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and
sustainability of participatory irrigation systems intended to realize an implementation
system that meets the principles of transparency and accountability.
P3A empowerment is based on the idea that institutional water user farmers have
existed in rural areas since ancient times, and even today they still exist where
institutionally there are many titles such as P3A, HIPPA (Water User Farmers
Association) in East Java, Darma Tirta in Central Java, Subak in Bali, Mitra Cai in
West Java, Nagari in West Sumatra, Keujreun Blang in Aceh, Raja Bondar in North
Sumatra, Tudang Sipulung in South Sulawesi and others, with conditions largely still
undeveloped and traditional in nature existing local customs and conditions.
Method

This research method uses descriptive analysis with a qualitative approach that
aims to provide an overview of the condition of the activity at the study site. The initial
mechanism of the research is the determination of the problem to be investigated, which
in this case is the functioning of the irrigation network is not only determined by the
physical aspects, institutional aspects that enter into non-physical factors may also
influence. Next, researchers began conducting a related library study to find out
research problems and find out regulations related to irrigation networks and
institutions.
Data collection methods are carried out through field observations and literature
studies. Observations were made at the study site by taking place in the Jambo Aye
Irrigation Area of North Aceh Regency. In addition, a literature study is also conducted
so that researchers have clear concepts with theories that are used as a basis for data
processing and problem solving, as well as supporting primary data obtained from the
field. Data analysis method uses descriptive analysis technique, which is a qualitative
research method (Rahmat, 2009) which is intended to obtain information about the state
of symptoms according to what they were at the time the study was conducted
(Arikunto, 2005).
The data needed in this study is primary data and secondary data. Primary data obtained
from direct observation in the field in the form of a survey of networks and irrigation
buildings. Secondary data was obtained from a study of the laws, regulations and qanun
related to participatory irrigation management. The survey was conducted in the form
of a technical aspect survey (network and building conditions), a P3A institutional
aspect survey, and a socio-economic aspect survey.

Discussion
Based on the Minister of Public Works Regulation Number: 32 / PRT / M /
2007 concerning Guidelines for Operation and Maintenance of Irrigation Networks
other than the government, public participation in this case is the Water User Farmers'
Association (P3A) is very important, while the P3A's participation in the operation of
irrigation networks is as follows (Permen 32 / PRT / M / 2007):
1. In data collection activities, P3A also plays a role in providing information
on necessary data such as data on planting area, crop types, and harvested area
and crop damage.
2. In implementing and planning activities for the operation of irrigation
networks P3A proposes area wide plans and plans for planting activities to the
relevant Dinas in charge of irrigation.
3. Discussing commodities that will be planted together with other farmers in
farmer organizations and groups in other irrigation areas.
4. Providing opinions or input regarding changes in schedule changes, planting
plan, changing planting schedule, and water distribution / distribution in the
event of changes in water availability at the water source.
5. Carry out operations such as opening, closing doors and lubricating sluice
gates.
6. To report if there is an informal collection of water and to report damage to
the irrigation structure.
Community participation in this case the Water User Farmers Association
(P3A) in the planning and implementation of maintenance activities is obtained through
joint search results with the following process:

1. P3A / GP3A / IP3A can supervise the maintenance of irrigation networks,

both primary irrigation networks and secondary irrigation networks in the form
of submitting reports of implementation deviations to the management and
related agencies.

2. P3A / GP3A / IP3A can participate in the activities of maintaining irrigation

facilities and infrastructure in the form of materials, labor, or costs according to
their abilities.

3. P3A / GP3A / IP3A together with irrigation management officers conduct a

search to identify the damage that occurred, the priority scale and the proposed
improvement plan.

4. The office in charge of irrigation carries out the maintenance of irrigation

networks which is carried out in collaboration with subak.

5. Participate in the repair activities of irrigation infrastructure that are damaged

due to natural disasters in accordance with the ability of the community.

The Jambo Aye Kiri Irrigation Area is a central Kewengan irrigation area taken
for the IPDMIP project. This area of irrigation is in the Jambo Aye River
Region, which is located in North Aceh and East Aceh Regencies. Where the
length of the main river is ± 45.15 Km with a watershed area of ± 1226.68 Km².
The Jambo Aye Irrigation Area has a standard area of ± 23,473 Ha, of which an
area of ± 19,473 Ha which is in the Left Jambo Aye in two districts namely
North Aceh Regency has an area of ± 15,993 Ha and in East Aceh Regency has
an area of 3,480 Ha, while potential for the development of ± 4,000 Ha, which
constitutes DI Jambo Aye Kanan, are entirely located in East Aceh Regency in
the Jambo Aye River region, for more details, see (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Map of the Jambo Aye River Region

Problems that occur in D.I Jambo Aye regarding institutional strengthening on an

ongoing basis where the irrigation network operation activities to date are carried out
by the irrigation officer together with farmers / WUA. This can be seen in the
implementation of operations at the network level, especially in the proposed planting
plan along with the area, proposed by farmers / P3A to the irrigation officer, so that the
irrigation officer and other relevant agencies decide on the plan through the Irrigation
Commission which has been adjusted to the availability of water. Farmers / P3A
participation is still passive in nature, where decisions and other needs are dominated
by irrigation officials, so that farmers / P3A are impressed only as users of irrigation
water.

Along with Government Regulation No. 20 of 2006 concerning Irrigation and

its implementing regulations through the Minister of Public Works Regulation No. 30
/ PRT / M / 2007 concerning Guidelines for the Development / Management of Farmer
Participatory Irrigation Systems / P3A as irrigation water users increased their role as
irrigation managers according to the nature of development, from, by, and for the
community. Where to achieve these targets the current stage is to involve farmers /
WUA in every irrigation network operation. The development and management of
participatory irrigation systems is the implementation of irrigation based on the
participation of the farming community starting from initial thought, decision making,
to the implementation of activities at the planning, development, improvement,
operation, maintenance and rehabilitation stages.

In implementing the development and management of irrigation from the

institutional side, it is necessary to strengthen institutions in irrigation management
starting from government agencies / agencies concerned, irrigation commission, and
P3A / GP3A. Irrigation Institution of P3A / GP3A / IP3A at location D.I. Jambo Aye
has only 3 legal entities which are authorized by the sub-district, while in the field
implementation conditions use P3A traditionally called Keujreung Blang with a total
of 36 P3A out of 185 P3A needs.

Tabel 1. P3A Data D.I. Jambo Aye, North Aceh Regency

NO KEC/DESA Nama P3A KETERANGAN
1 Lhoksukon Leubok Layang Tidak Aktif
2 Lhoksukon Alue Lhok Tidak Aktif
3 Lhoksukon Babah Krueng Peutoe Tidak Aktif
4 Lhoksukon Alue Rawang Tidak Aktif
5 Lhoksukon/Gp. Alue Buket Makmu Beusabe Tidak Aktif
6 Lhoksukon Nira Mameh Tidak Aktif
7 Lhoksukon Masjid Panglatef Tidak Aktif
8 Lhoksukon/Trieng Pantang Trieng Pantang Tidak Aktif
9 Lhoksukon/Ara Ab Bungong Sikuneng Tidak Aktif
10 Lhoksukon/Meurebo Buket Teupih Tidak Aktif
11 Lhoksukon/Meuria Abeuh Lagee Tidak Aktif
12 Lhoksukon/Arongan Lhoksukon Teungoh Sama Rata Tidak Aktif
13 Lhoksukon Bungong Pade Tidak Aktif
14 Lhoksukon/Reudeup Putra Reudeup Tidak Aktif
15 Lhoksukon/Alue Buket Makmu Beusare Tidak Aktif
16 Lhoksukon/Blang Rubek Ade Beurata Tidak Aktif
17 Lhoksukon/Blang Rubek Makmu Beusare Tidak Aktif
18 Lhoksukon/Teupin Keube Bungong Seulanga Tidak Aktif
19 Lhoksukon/Mata Ie Bungong Seulanga Tidak Aktif
20 Lhoksukon/Ulee Gunong Kuta Reutong Tidak Aktif
21 Lhoksukon/Mancang Tgk. Di Rukan Tidak Aktif
22 Lhoksukon/Aneuk Leupon Abeuk Leupon Tidak Aktif
24 Langkahan/Simpang Tiga Hasrat Jaya Tidak Aktif
25 Langkahan/Laubok Mane Ingin Maju Tidak Aktif
26 Langkahan/Mtg. Rubek Mtg. Rubek Jaya Tidak Aktif
27 Langkahan/Geudumbak Tunas Muda Tidak Aktif
28 Langkahan/Cot Bada PL 2 KN Tidak Aktif
29 Langkahan/Alue Dua PL 2 KR Tidak Aktif
30 Langkahan/Paya Tukai JA 5 Tidak Aktif
31 Langkahan/[Link] PL 1 Tidak Aktif
32 Langkahan/Alue Krak Kaye JA 2 [Link] Tidak Aktif
33 Langkahan/Tanjong Dalam S JA 2 [Link] Tidak Aktif
34 Langkahan/Cot Bada Barona Tidak Aktif
35 Langkahan/Alue Dua Sejahtera Tidak Aktif
36 Langkahan/Paya Tukai Beurata Tidak Aktif
Through participatory methods the rural conditions of farmers / P3A are invited
to play an active role in implementing the O&M of irrigation networks. With the
current condition of farmers / P3A where passive involvement is required to
immediately play an active role in being able to manage irrigation networks
independently, a transition period is needed. In the transition period as currently, the
most appropriate irrigation network operation activities are network operations carried
out by irrigation officers with farmers / WUA or management cooperation (KSP).
Furthermore, if the time is right, where the farmers / P3A are able to manage the
irrigation network independently, then the full management of irrigation can be carried
out by the farmers / P3A. The participation of the farming community / P3A / GP3A /
IP3A in the development and management of irrigation systems is intended to increase
ownership, a sense of responsibility and the ability of water user farmer associations in
order to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of irrigation systems.
In addition, the development and management of participatory irrigation systems is
intended to realize an implementation system that meets the principles of transparency
and accountability.

Result
IPDMIP (Integrated Participatory Development and Management of Irrigation
Program) is a government program in the field of irrigation aimed at realizing national
food sovereignty that encourages integrative and participatory irrigation management.
The support of quality human resources through the involvement and empowerment of
the farming community is an effort of the government to maintain the integration and
sustainability of the development and management of the irrigation system through
Empowerment of Water Users Farmers' Associations (P3A). Rural infrastructure
development projects will be more effective in encouraging community development
and rural areas, when followed by a program of strengthening community institutions
and improving the people's economy to encourage prosperity including starting to pay
attention to environmental infrastructure programs in the community. Combining P3A
and involving P3A members in managing water resources is a strategic step in
increasing the efficiency of irrigation water use at the local level, merging P3A should
be based on hydrological areas, so that potential conflicts in irrigation management can
be avoided relatively.
Summarys
Reference
Anantayu, Sapja. 2011. Farmer Institution: Role and Development Strategy
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Anonymous: 2007. Regulation of the Minister of Public Works

Number: 32 / PRT / M / 2007

Regarding Guidelines for Operation and Maintenance of Irrigation Networks.

Jakarta: Minister of Public Works.

Anonymous: 2006. Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia

Number 20 of 2006 about Irrigation. Jakarta: Deputy Minister
of State Secretariat Invitation Act.

Anonymous: 2007. Regulation of the Minister of Public Works

Number: 30 / PRT / M / 2007about Guidelines for Development and
Management of Irrigation SystemsParticipatory Jakarta:
Minister of Public Works.

Arikunto, Suharsimi: 2005. Research Management. Rineka Cipta, Jakarta

Rahmat, Pupu Saeful: 2009. Qualitative Research. Equilibrium Journal. Vol 5 No. 9
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