IRRIGATION SUBSECTOR

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The Irrigation Subsector Project will be the first phase of a long-term program aimed at supporting the Government of Indonesia's (GOI) efforts to: (a) improve operations and maintenance (O&M) to sustain the effectiveness of all irrigation systems; (b) introduce direct cost recovery from irrigation beneficiaries and increase local revenue generation to reduce the burden of O&M expenditures on central and provincial budgets; and (c) rationalize existing and programmed investments in the subsector. To that end, the project consists of (a) special Maintenance works on about 400,000 ha of irrigated land, about 106,000 ha of reclaimed swamp land, and five river mouths, so that these can sustain efficient O&M in future. In addition, the project entails (b) systematic introduction of efficient O&M on about 700,000 ha of irrigated land and 87,000 ha of swamp land; (c) completion of about 40 priority, GOI-funded on-going projects, selected on the basis of agreed technical and economic criteria; (d) pilot groundwater development through construction of some 900 tubewells for small farmers in primarily rainfed areas; and (e) support for policy reforms and institutional strengthening and training. Lastly, the undertaking involves (f) technical assistance and studies in support of the above components.