Government intervention in the Muda irrigation scheme, Malaysia: 'actors',expectations and outcomes

Authors
Citation
Cl. Johnson, Government intervention in the Muda irrigation scheme, Malaysia: 'actors',expectations and outcomes, GEOGR J, 166, 2000, pp. 192-214
Citations number
39
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
EnvirnmentalStudies Geografy & Development
Journal title
GEOGRAPHICAL JOURNAL
ISSN journal
0016-7398 → ACNP
Volume
166
Year of publication
2000
Part
3
Pages
192 - 214
Database
ISI
SICI code
0016-7398(200009)166:<192:GIITMI>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
At the dawn of the third millennium the problems associated with large-scal e irrigation lie largely unresolved. The outcomes of government policies ra rely correspond with expectations, leading to conflict and misunderstanding between federal governments, local agencies and farmers. This paper examin es the mis-match of expectations between policy implementers and policy rec ipients in the implementation of one government policy (tertiary interventi on) in the Muda irrigation scheme, Malaysia. The findings illustrate that t his policy is not achieving the productivity increase or water saving expec tations for which it was designed, instead, tertiary intervention has incre ased the capacity of the farmers to unofficially control the distribution a nd supply of the water resource and to engage in off-farm productive and no n-productive activities. This results in: a significant over-supply of wate r; the inefficient use of this supply; and a reduction in yields without a reduction in incomes. Importantly, tertiary intervention has enabled the fa rmers to diversify their livelihood strategies whilst retaining access to t he rice-farming culture. The findings presented in this paper serve to illu strate the significance of 'actor' expectations on policy outcomes and agra rian change.