Impact Evaluation of National Strategic Irrigation Infrastructure on Agricultural Intensification and Land Productivity: Evidence from Indonesia's Outer Islands

Abstract

The development of national strategic irrigation infrastructure is a key policy for strengthening food security, improving agricultural productivity, and reducing regional disparities, particularly outside Java and Bali. In this study, “outer islands” refers operationally to agricultural regions outside Java and Bali, including Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua, which face challenges in irrigation development, water management, and agricultural productivity. Despite substantial government investment, empirical evidence on the impacts of irrigation infrastructure on agricultural intensification and land productivity remains limited. This study evaluates the effectiveness of national strategic irrigation infrastructure in supporting agricultural development across Indonesia’s outer islands. A qualitative systematic literature review was conducted by synthesizing recent national and international studies on irrigation management, water productivity, agricultural intensification, and land productivity. The analysis examines the relationships among irrigation infrastructure, water resource management, farming intensity, crop productivity, and sustainable agricultural practices. The findings indicate that improved irrigation infrastructure enhances cropping intensity, land productivity, water-use efficiency, and farmers’ resilience to climate variability. However, its effectiveness depends on institutional governance, operation and maintenance quality, technological innovation, and stakeholder participation. Regions with integrated irrigation management demonstrate greater agricultural productivity than those relying solely on infrastructure expansion. This study contributes by integrating infrastructure, irrigation governance, technological innovation, and farmer participation within a single analytical framework for Indonesia’s outer-island agricultural systems. It concludes that irrigation development should combine physical investment with institutional strengthening, smart irrigation technology, and sustainable water governance.