Community Participation in Water Management for Agriculture in Phra Phloeng, Khao Chakan, Srakaew, Thailand

The formal allocation of water for the environment is a developing area of river management both scientifically and in terms of community participation. This case study, illustrating the recent use of the Barmah-Millewa Forest Environmental Water Allocation (EWA), provides a practical demonstration of community participation in environmental water management, the application of hydrological and biological “triggers” and a positive, demonstrable biological outcome from an environmental water allocation. The Barmah-Millewa Forest covers an area of 70,000 ha across the floodplain of the Murray River, upstream of the town of Echuca. About half the forest is in NSW (Millewa) and half is in Victoria (Barmah). The Barmah Forest is a Wetland of International Importance listed under the Convention on Wetlands - Ramsar Convention. The forest is the largest river redgum forest in the world. The natural flooding cycle associated with the forest has been significantly altered by regulation of the Murray River - impacting upon the overall health of the forest ecosystem. Recognising this, the Murray Darling Basin Commission developed a water management strategy for the forest to enhance forest, fish and wildlife values. To implement this strategy, between 1990 and 1993 reports were completed and community consultation took place. In 1993 the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council approved allocation of 100 Gigalitres of water per year, provided in equal shares by NSW and Victoria, to meet the needs of the forest ecosystem and in 1994 the Barmah-Millewa Forum was established under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement. The vision for the Forum is to maintain and, where possible, improve the ecological and productive sustainability of the Barmah-Millewa Forest and to establish a planning and operational framework to better meet the flooding and drying requirements of the riparian forests and wetlands. Between October 2000 and January 2001 the Barmah-Millewa Forest Environmental Water Allocation was used for the second time. A total of 341 GL was released as an EWA. This amount represented only 8% of the total flows downstream of Yarrawonga Weir from September 2000 and January 2001. The strategic use of the relatively small amount of water enabled flooding to be maintained and ensured significant breeding success for water birds and other biota in the Forest.

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Inovasi Pertanian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Petani di Lahan Gambut

Forum penelitian Agro Ekonomi ◽

10.21082/fae.v37n1.2019.77-94 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 77

Author(s):

Rika Reviza Rachmawati ◽

Herlina Tarigan

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Community Participation ◽

Information Dissemination ◽

Management Practices ◽

Agricultural Technology ◽

Community Partnership ◽

Water Control ◽

The Government ◽

Agricultural Innovations ◽

Control Management

Indonesia is blessed with large potential peatland areas. Growing rice in peatland areas, for example, may be harmful to the environment if it is inappropriate farming practice. This paper aims to identify the best agricultural innovation and to propose strategic recommendation for peatland areas management. Farmers have applied agricultural innovations in growing rice in peatland areas with limited ecological damages carried out through water control management such as one way-water management, canal blocking, surjan or tukungan, and varieties adapted to peatland environment. The government has launched some measures to support peatland ecosystem but farmers’ support is inadequate. Implementing good agricultural technology through increased community participation in sustainable peatland management practices, strengthening farmers’ institution, information dissemination, and mutual community partnership. AbstrakIndonesia dikaruniai lahan gambut yang tersebar luas. Pemanfaatan lahan gambut untuk kegiatan pertanian padi banyak menimbulkan kontroversi apabila tidak dibudidayakan secara tepat. Tulisan ini membahas inovasi pertanian yang tepat dan merekomendasikan strategi pemberdayaan petani di kawasan lahan gambut. Inovasi pertanian untuk menanam padi di lahan gambut tanpa merusak lingkungan di antaranya pengaturan tata air yang mampu menekan terjadinya penurunan fungsi lingkungan, seperti tata air satu arah, tabat konservasi, surjan dan tukungan, sistem drainase dangkal, hingga inovasi pemberian kapur (ameliorasi), pemupukan N dan P serta pemilihan varietas tanaman adaptif baik tanaman pangan, hortikultura, dan perkebunan. Berbagai usaha dan kebijakan yang dilakukan pemerintah untuk menjaga ekosistem lahan gambut belum optimal hasilnya karena kurang mendapat dukungan masyarakat setempat. Diperlukan pemberdayaan petani di kawasan lahan gambut agar lebih peduli kelangsungan ekosistem. Penguatan kelembagaan petani berperan dalam pemecahan masalah usaha tani, penyebarluasan informasi, penerapan teknologi sesuai agroekosistem, serta membangun kerja sama dan kemitraan yang saling menguntungkan.

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