Introduction of Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) in Indonesia: Institutional development in action for resources management

The inability to properly maintain irrigation systems over time forced the Government of Indonesia (GOI) to seek cost recovery from water users through introduction of an irrigation service fee. The plan is to introduce this fee in all of the technical irrigation systems of Indonesia, covering about 4 million hectares, over a 12 year period. Design and Introduction of this service fee in 4 pilot areas of the 4 major rice producing provinces (West, Central and East Java, and South Sulawesi) during 1989–1991 has shown that users are willing to pay. Results of first ISF collection from over 11,000 farmers in Central and East Java in pilot systems was an encouraging 95%. However that acceptance to pay by users depends on their structured and systematic involvement in defining systems needs. They need to understand a differentiation in payment if service levels are different. They appreciate use of collected funds in the system where collected. They understand the organization of water users associations but this requires their active role in fee determination and collection. They understand the establishment of federations of these associations. ISF requires also active involvement of Local Government officials as facilitators and intermediaries between service receivers (the water users) and service providers (personnel of the Public Works irrigation department) in the introduction period. This article describes the experience of the first 21 months of the ISF project, the concept developed, the principles used as basis for ISF, the introduction at the field level, issues related to acceptance by users and by the institutions involved, and the first results.Abbreviations/Acronyms DGWRD Directorate General of Water Resources Development (Ministry of Public Works) - EOM Efficient Operation and Maintenance - Gabungan group of WUAs - IPAIR Indonesian abbreviation for ISF - ISF Irrigation Service Fee - Juru gate keeper - PBB land tax on irrigated lands - PPL agricultural field extension agent - P3A Indonesian abbreviation for Water Users Associations - PU Indonesian abbreviation for Public Works - SM Special Maintenance - WUA Water Users Associations     

灌区用水者协会的水权探讨

建立灌区用水者协会的水权制度，对明晰用水者协会的产权制度的有着重要的作用。在对水权、区域水权、初试水权论述的基础上，对灌区用水者协会的水权进行了探讨。用水者协会的水权是农业水权中的灌溉水权，是由其所辖灌溉工程决定的、灌区管理单位（或供水公司）移交（或转移）的灌溉水的权利，包括占有权、支配权、使用权和收益权。用水者协会的水权的特征主要表现为水的所有权为国家所有，其占有权、支配权、使用权和收益权为用水者协会集体所有，协会水权经灌溉工程产权移交后产生，并具有初试水权的特性。灌区用水者协会的水权量一般用水量、水权面积表示。     

关于控制盐渍化的制度安排——以土耳其为例

在高度集权的非市场决策的环境下,有效需求是由政治决策者提出的。他们的决定只出于政治方面的考虑,与当地需求无关。政府方面的有效控制盐渍化服务由于其较高的多变性和交易成本而受到妨碍,而将它们最小化的行政程序本身又导致下水位的上升。有了自治的用水户协会,输水系统的维护和水资源分配条例的实施工作得到改善。可是,它们对控制盐渍化的贡献很小,需要国家对其加以调控。     

Characterizing Farmer Users and Nonusers of Mass Media as Channels of Agricultural Information in Benue State,Nigeria

This study characterized farmer users and nonusers of mass media as channels of agricultural information. A structured interview was used to obtain data from 316 randomly selected farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. The data were subjected to discriminant analysis and the following socioeconomic characteristics significantly differed at a 5% level of probability between users and nonusers of mass media (and their F-ratio values): education (6.30), income (5.12), gender (4.84), and socioeconomic status (4.83). Farmer users of mass media are therefore those who have good level of education, belong to a relatively high income bracket, and are typically male and of a relatively high socioeconomic status. Farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics should be considered in planning mass media usage in agricultural information dissemination.     

网络环境下图书馆信息服务工作内涵的转变

从＂用户为中心＂的服务理念、＂面向用户问题＂的服务模式、服务方式趋向个性化、服务内容知识化、服务人员角色以及用户信息行为的变化等几方面对网络环境下信息服务工作内涵的转变进行了阐述,为图书馆转变观念,努力满足用户需求,进一步开拓和创新信息服务工作提供借鉴和指导。     

Enjoyment and fear in urban woodlands – Does age make a difference?

Urban dwellers experience conflicting thoughts and feelings about urban woodlands; valued for their natural qualities, the relief they provide from the stress of modern urban living and the opportunities they afford for children's play and exploration. At the same time the seclusion inherent in this type of urban greenspace seems fraught with risk from crime, vandalism and abuse. Whilst many of these characteristics are well-researched, less is known about the differing perceptions of particular social groups. This study aimed to explore the ways in which age affects urban dwellers’ aspirations, values and fears concerning the woods, and woodland accessibility, focusing on the views of elderly people (aged over 65). This pilot study was based in Norfolk Heritage Park, an urban park containing a variety of woodland settings located in Sheffield, UK. The questionnaire survey (participantsn=97) revealed that although walking is the most popular leisure activity, most respondents did not visit urban parks as often as they would like, regardless of age. Whilst many of the meanings associated with urban woodland (“relaxation”, “peacefulness”, “seasonal change”, “scenery” and “education”) were shared amongst age groups, it seemed that the elderly respondents particularly valued the woods for their links with the past, and opportunities for immersion in the natural world. Some respondents from all age groups had fears about their personal security in the woodland, and the concerns of the elderly were heightened by their perceived frailty, reduced mobility and sense of vulnerability; this age group had a corresponding need for particular measures to alleviate these problems. The study provides preliminary evidence for the idea that adults of different ages have differing perceptions and requirements in relation to urban woodlands. Due to the small sample size and other methodological issues, further research is needed to confirm and develop the findings.     

Willingness to travel to avoid recreation conflicts in Danish forests

Conflicts among forest visitors have direct effects on the quality of a recreational experience. As the number of visitors to forests close to residential areas increases, as well as the number of different activities, so does the potential for perceived conflicts. According to the literature, expanding knowledge of conflict characteristics and their causes is important for recreation planners and managers who aim to reduce conflicts.In the present study, different forest user groups were identified and categorised according to their pursued activities, and for each group, causes of conflict were identified. Furthermore, a choice experiment was constructed to estimate the distance visitors are willing to travel to encounter few visitors as opposed to many visitors, and thereby potentially experience fewer conflicts. Comparing the marginal willingness to travel (WTT) of different user groups suggests that some groups have a WTT further than the average to reach a forest with ‘Few’ visitors. The average WTT to reach a forest area with ‘Few’ visitors. ‘Mountain bikers,’ ‘Peace and nature lovers’ and ‘Horse riders’ are willing to travel 4 km more than the average per visit to reach a less crowded forest. At the other end of the scale, we find that people who are doing physical exercise are willing to travel 2 km less than the average to reach a less crowded forest.     

National Evaluation of User Profiles in Aquaculture

One problem with information delivery to a specific segment of the agricultural community is identifying the characteristics and needs of the end-user. Such a profile could be used for evaluation of the products or services provided. The Aquaculture Information Center of the National Agricultural Library was able to construct to such a profile based on historical data as well as current assessments from several United States aquaculture information groups. Analysis of this data provided specific and general direction for future products and services within the aquaculture information community. Findings also highlighted the important need for further tracking of such data, emphasis on continued networking among information groups, and creation of formal guidelines for aquaculture information access for the end-user.     

Key Links and Solutions for the Relationshipsabout Reconstruction of Old Buildings

Following the rapid development of the revolutions in housing system,reconstruction of old buildings is rising.In order to make the reconstruction proceed smoothly,in this paper the author studies the secondary parts,reinforcing foundation,dismantlement of some parts of an old building,linkage of new and old frames,solutions for the four relationships,and others.     

电子文献资源利用现状的调查与分析

南京农业大学图书馆对电子文献资源利用现状进行了调查,本文分析了不同类型读者对不同电子资源的利用特点,为图书馆馆藏建设及发展提供依据。