The Dilemma of Implementing Rice Land Restoration Post the 2018 Earthquake and Liquefaction in Sigi Regency

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the discrepancy among supporting information and realization of human resources, the readiness of Deep Ground Irrigation Pump (DGIP) infrastructure, and the budget. This research used qualitative descriptive with an evidence-based data approach through observation, interview, and documentation. The data analysis was carried out through data collection, data condensation, data display, and drawing conclusion. Applying the Van Metter and Van Horn implementation model, which emphasized the aspects of information resources, human resources, infrastructures, and budgets. The results showed that the DGIP infrastructure support and output targets were poorly realized. The unpredictable ineffectiveness of the realization provided a theoretical contribution. Firstly, the presence of the physical environmental aspect of the earthquake, liquefaction, and the social pandemic in 2019 precisely determined the inefficacy of obtaining the implementation of rice field restoration. Subsequently, the limitation of the research analytically not to insert the theory of News Institutionalism, the aspect of rational choices, the rules, and the calculative options. Practically, the government of Sigi regency should not only depend on the success of the previous DGIP, however, they must re-analyze the problems and the alternatives for determining DGIP. Refocusing the budget should be calculated carefully and based on priorities, seeing that between the impact of the earthquake and liquefaction and the Covid-19 pandemic, both are included on a heavy scale and have extraordinary impacts.