From Practice to Policy: Agency and NGO in Indonesia's Programme to Turn Over Small Irrigation Systems to Farmers

Abstract

"The Indonesian programme to turn over small irrigation systems to water user associations (WUAs) shows how an NGO can go beyond being an intermediary between government and farmers, and instead help a government agency change its standard operating procedures in order to recognise and enhance the role farmers can play in irrigation management. An Indonesian NGO was involved in formulating and implementing turnover activities. The Institute for Social and Economic Research, Education and Information (LP3ES) was founded in 1971 by a group of activist Indonesian intellectuals. Their concerns were widespread poverty, lack of attention to basic rights and the dearth of institutions active in social and economic development. The birth of LP3ES coincided with the government's first five-year plan, which relied on a centralised, technocratic and top-down approach to development."