This paper examines aspects of improving irrigation system performance through better farmer organisation. The paper reviews an action research project carried out on small, isolated irrigation systems built and managed by farmers in Nepal. Farmers in systems suffering from poor cooperative operation and maintenance were taken to observe the practice of well organised farmer managed systems. The positive impact associated with strong local organisations on performance were demonstrated to the visiting farmers. The underlying theme of the paper is effective governance; establishment of viable institutions. Strong participation in organisation and management was a principle taken back to 19 irrigation systems. Early results indicated a positive impact on performance, highlighting the importance of greater organised participation on operation and maintenance and hence agricultural production.
Publication year:
1991
Interest groups:
This may be of use to those working in irrigation management, as well as on other institutional issues, at project level in the south, particularly S Asia.
Pages:
15 p.
Holdings:
IDS, IRR1
Conference:
Workshop on Democracy and Governance
Conference Location:
Washington
Publisher reference:
USAID