Flowing Hope: The Impact of Collective Irrigation on Farmer Productivity in Kuripan Village

For 400 families in Kuripan Village, Batang Regency, their agricultural land is the only source of livelihood to meet the economic and food needs of their families. They depend on farming on a total area of ​​153 hectares. The majority of them grow rice, corn, and secondary crops. It is recorded that the average corn production is 7 tons/hectare and rice 5 tons/hectare. The land in Kuripan Village is classified as non-irrigated land, and agricultural management is highly dependent on rainwater.

In the dry season, water shortages are a major challenge, leaving about 40 hectares of land unusable. Although there is a large river to the west of the site, the layered nature of the river water—freshwater on top and saltwater below—makes it impractical to use. Water pumps are the solution to accessing the fresh water.

The 153-hectare land in Kuripan Village is one of the Priority Locations for Agrarian Reform (LPRA) being fought for by the Batang Farmers' Struggle Forum (FPPB). The land is flanked by two National Strategic Projects (Batang PLTU and Batang Industrial Area), and until now has not received land rights status. In fact, Perhutani claims that the land is under its control as a forest area. Various advocacy efforts have been carried out, both at the regional level and through LPRA KPA. As a result, ATR/BPN has determined the emerging land as state land, not under the control of Perhutani. In addition, the land has become a priority location for land redistribution.

Kuripan Village needs a structured long-term solution to overcome irrigation problems. With the support of the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding, FPBB also built a collective irrigation facility from February to June 2024. Not to forget, the meeting place for residents and the agricultural equipment warehouse were also repaired. Through irrigation, agricultural production increases because it is no longer dependent on the season, and farmers' welfare also increases. At the same time, it is an effort to strengthen land use to strengthen advocacy in obtaining land rights.

The construction of a water pump house is the first step. To easily access the water source, a permanent building measuring 3x3 meters was built near the river, precisely in a location free from potential flooding. To facilitate distribution, water from the pump is channeled through a 250-meter PVC pipe, equipped with a tap/open-close every 20 meters, before being channeled into a 750-meter land irrigation channel. In addition, the water pump is equipped with a special float to ensure that the water sucked remains in the fresh water layer.

Collective management is applied to the irrigation system, fully regulated by FPPB through a working group of member farmers. Irrigation is carried out in rotation per block, each block consists of five farmers whose land is close together. Operational costs for diesel fuel in the first month are borne by the organization's cash, the first payment for the use of irrigation can be made after the farmer's harvest period with dry rice. Subsequent usage costs are regulated through contributions per block. In addition to irrigation through a pump system, FPPB also built four points of drilled wells for areas that are difficult to reach by the main channel.

A total of around 40 hectares of land that previously had difficulty getting water during the dry season can be irrigated. More than 200 farmers who are members of FPPB can now add one season of rice or secondary crops. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers who are members of collective organizations with access to irrigation facilities tend to experience an increase in productivity of up to 25% compared to farmers who work individually. The existence of irrigation facilities will not only increase farmers' income, but also have a direct impact on improving their welfare.

In a study of the farmer movement in Batang "Political Movement of the Batang Regency Farmers' Association Forum (FPPB), by Hilma Safitri in 2010, there are 3 patterns of struggle dynamics developed by FPPB according to Safitri's study (2010). First, OTL whose focus is on the struggle to obtain land. Second, OTL whose focus is on the struggle to maintain the land they have cultivated de facto. Third, OTL who are fighting for the legalization of rights to the lands they cultivate.

The construction of irrigation facilities and collective management in Kuripan Village strengthens the picture of the FPPB struggle in the study. The collective irrigation facility management system based on mutual cooperation creates space for greater collaboration and involvement from each member. Solidarity and social networks are increasingly close, and the organization's resilience in facing challenges is also getting stronger.

Nusantara Fund Direct Funding Support can contribute to the struggle of FPPB member farmers. Not only in the form of infrastructure to improve welfare, but also building farmers' confidence and ability to adapt to challenges. Collective work is a great grassroots force to strengthen Local Farmers Organizations. Irrigation in Kuripan Village is not just about flowing water, but about the spirit and hope for farmers to continue to survive and develop towards a better future.