Public policy implementation : rice policy at the regional level in Indonesia 1970-1984

Abstract

This thesis is an attempt to examine the implementation of Indonesian rice policy at the regional level during the period 1970-1984. Two programs have been analysed: the rice intensification (Bimas) and the village unit cooperatives (KUD) programs. The results of the programs and their impacts on the farmers are analysed. Also, the responses of farmers to the two programs are described. However, this thesis is particularly aimed at analysing the work of the local government officials and the machinery at the kabupaten down to village levels. Since the local government is the main agency of the central government in implementing its rice policies, as well as other development programs, the role of this local apparatus is crucial in the implementation process of the policy. The local government officials are the lower level instruments of the central government, and they are subject to heavy political control from the centre. This thesis examines the impact of this control upon local-level rice policy implementation. The analysis of rice policy implementation at the regional level in Indonesia, indicates that the success of the government in achieving certain objectives of the policy, and its failure to achieve others are not merely caused by administrative problems, but are particularly due to the priorities given by the central government to certain policy objectives, and by the pattern of relationships between the central and the local officials. In other words, the implementation of rice policy has been more affected by political factors than by administrative problems. Hence, while this thesis gives attention to the administrative problems, its focus is mainly on the political factors affecting the implementation process. The influence of political factors is illustrated by five local studies in Malang Kabupaten in the last two chapters.