Controlling the Brantas river: construction and impact of Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure on the agricultural economy and the environment in East Java
This article examines the crucial role played by Japan in the development of irrigation infrastructure in Indonesia from the 1960s to the 1990s. While the assistance provided by Japan in irrigation infrastructure significantly enhanced the prominence of the Brantas river valleys as a major rice gran...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Arts & Humanities |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2024.2335756 |
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| author | Nawiyanto Sarkawi B. Husain Wisnu Mohamad Nai’m |
| author_facet | Nawiyanto Sarkawi B. Husain Wisnu Mohamad Nai’m |
| author_sort | Nawiyanto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article examines the crucial role played by Japan in the development of irrigation infrastructure in Indonesia from the 1960s to the 1990s. While the assistance provided by Japan in irrigation infrastructure significantly enhanced the prominence of the Brantas river valleys as a major rice granary during the green revolution, it has been largely overlooked in Indonesian historiography. Despite the historical influence of the Dutch, this article aims to elucidate the reasons behind Japan’s involvement in the modernization of irrigation systems along the Brantas river in East Java, as well as the resultant effects on food production and the environment. Employing a historical approach and drawing on both primary and secondary sources, this study argues that Japan’s role in Indonesia’s irrigation development during the independence period originated from the war compensation fund paid by the Japanese government. This fund subsequently paved the way for greater involvement of Japanese agencies in mutual cooperation in developing irrigation infrastructure. The expansion of irrigated lands and increased rice productivity, facilitated by Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure, mitigated the risks of harvest failure due to droughts and floods. The infrastructure has also played a significant role in flood control during rainy seasons and in securing irrigation water, especially during dry seasons. Additionally, while acknowledging sacrifices incurred during the construction process and the environmental consequences of their operations, it is evident that the Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure effectively tamed the ferocity of the river and optimized its benefits, significantly improving the livelihoods of many people. To ensure the long-term sustainability of Japanese-funded infrastructure along the Brantas River, comprehensive strategies encompassing regular maintenance, technological updates, community engagement, integrated water resource management, agriculture diversification, and climate change adaptation are essential. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e68777e5c7b42ad8025c42ccd64f73a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2331-1983 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Arts & Humanities |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e68777e5c7b42ad8025c42ccd64f73a2024-12-14T07:43:07ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Arts & Humanities2331-19832024-12-0111110.1080/23311983.2024.2335756Controlling the Brantas river: construction and impact of Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure on the agricultural economy and the environment in East JavaNawiyanto0Sarkawi B. Husain1Wisnu2Mohamad Nai’m3Department of History, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Jember, Jember, IndonesiaDepartment of History, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, IndonesiaDepartment of History Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, IndonesiaDepartment of History Education, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Universitas Jember, Jember, IndonesiaThis article examines the crucial role played by Japan in the development of irrigation infrastructure in Indonesia from the 1960s to the 1990s. While the assistance provided by Japan in irrigation infrastructure significantly enhanced the prominence of the Brantas river valleys as a major rice granary during the green revolution, it has been largely overlooked in Indonesian historiography. Despite the historical influence of the Dutch, this article aims to elucidate the reasons behind Japan’s involvement in the modernization of irrigation systems along the Brantas river in East Java, as well as the resultant effects on food production and the environment. Employing a historical approach and drawing on both primary and secondary sources, this study argues that Japan’s role in Indonesia’s irrigation development during the independence period originated from the war compensation fund paid by the Japanese government. This fund subsequently paved the way for greater involvement of Japanese agencies in mutual cooperation in developing irrigation infrastructure. The expansion of irrigated lands and increased rice productivity, facilitated by Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure, mitigated the risks of harvest failure due to droughts and floods. The infrastructure has also played a significant role in flood control during rainy seasons and in securing irrigation water, especially during dry seasons. Additionally, while acknowledging sacrifices incurred during the construction process and the environmental consequences of their operations, it is evident that the Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure effectively tamed the ferocity of the river and optimized its benefits, significantly improving the livelihoods of many people. To ensure the long-term sustainability of Japanese-funded infrastructure along the Brantas River, comprehensive strategies encompassing regular maintenance, technological updates, community engagement, integrated water resource management, agriculture diversification, and climate change adaptation are essential.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2024.2335756Irrigation infrastructureJapan’s aidBrantas riverrice productionflood controlenvironmental impacts |
| spellingShingle | Nawiyanto Sarkawi B. Husain Wisnu Mohamad Nai’m Controlling the Brantas river: construction and impact of Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure on the agricultural economy and the environment in East Java Cogent Arts & Humanities Irrigation infrastructure Japan’s aid Brantas river rice production flood control environmental impacts |
| title | Controlling the Brantas river: construction and impact of Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure on the agricultural economy and the environment in East Java |
| title_full | Controlling the Brantas river: construction and impact of Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure on the agricultural economy and the environment in East Java |
| title_fullStr | Controlling the Brantas river: construction and impact of Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure on the agricultural economy and the environment in East Java |
| title_full_unstemmed | Controlling the Brantas river: construction and impact of Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure on the agricultural economy and the environment in East Java |
| title_short | Controlling the Brantas river: construction and impact of Japan-supported irrigation infrastructure on the agricultural economy and the environment in East Java |
| title_sort | controlling the brantas river construction and impact of japan supported irrigation infrastructure on the agricultural economy and the environment in east java |
| topic | Irrigation infrastructure Japan’s aid Brantas river rice production flood control environmental impacts |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2024.2335756 |
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