Correlations, Causes and the Logic of Obscuration: Donor Shaping of Dominant Narratives in Indonesia's Irrigation Development

Suhardiman, Diana; Mollinga, Peter

Abstract

This article analyses policy trends in Indonesian irrigation, particularly during the last five decades, from the perspective of dominant narratives, as authored, suggested and pushed by international donors. It argues that international donors' adherence to ‘deferred maintenance’ as the core element of irrigation policy problem framing does not match with farmers' and the irrigation agency staff perceptions and practices. The logic of obscuration and the discursive manoeuvers that maintain it are analysed. The article concludes that there is space for more profound conceptual contestation and for alternative actions pathways even within the ‘dominant paradigm’ to address management problems more effectively.

Citation

Suhardiman, D., & Mollinga, P. (2012). Correlations, Causes and the Logic of Obscuration: Donor Shaping of Dominant Narratives in Indonesia's Irrigation Development. The Journal of Development Studies, 48(7), 923-938. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2011.638052

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Jun 25, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 11, 2025
• Print ISSN: 0022-0388
• Electronic ISSN: 1743-9140
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 48
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 923-938
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2011.638052
• Keywords: irrigation, policy narratives, Indonesia