Workshop on “SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY: AN INTERNATIONAL POLICY DIALOGUE ON PROGRESSING WATER POLICY REFORM IN AGRICULTURE, WITH FOCUS ON INDONESIA”;

Bogor Indonesia 13 – 15 December 2011.

By: Ir. Marhuarar NAPITUPULU Dipl. HE.

PAPER

Nowadays (2011) Indonesia with 240 million and uneven geographical distribution of population (Java with 7 % country area occupied by 60 % of population = 140 millions) has limited water resources and irrigation infrastructures (200 storage dam, 7.23 million Ha irrigated area) is still insufficient of food production. Annual imported food continuously increased: rice 0.5 – 2 million ton, wheat 5-7 million ton, soya bean 1.2 million ton, ground nut, cow, milk, sugar etc. Land and water resources for agriculture are continuously degraded in quantities and qualities.

What will occur in the next 20 t0 40 years from now, if there is no drastic change of the Land and Water Resources Management policy and practices as mention above, all together with still high and uneven population growth and urbanization? Certainly Indonesia will face two (2) big clusters of challenges in order to achieve sustainable water management namely: (1) the guarantee of sustainable water availability for food agriculture (70 – 80 % requirements) and for domestic, urban, industry and energy; and (2) the guarantee of sustainable irrigated agriculture land management with the areas and location sufficient and in harmony with future requirement.

The aim of the paper is to answer both challenges. It will discuss the necessities of integrated natural resources management, intensification and securing existing irrigation areas, development of new irrigated agricultural areas and reformulation of national land and food policy.

Two rapporteurs had been appointed (i) for Indonesian experience and (ii) International experience. After rapporteur presentation open discussion was held. And after general discussion the five panel is asked to present theirs opinion and recommendation.