economics of on-farm development - Institute for Social and ...

Ansari (1989) shows that there have been changes in cropping pattern and an
increase in cropping intensity by 75 per cent in Nepal due to PIM.
Brewer 1'1 al (1999) give a more comprehensive analysis <strong>of</strong> the processes
and the present status <strong>of</strong> irrigation management transfer (IMT) in India. The
stuqy based on experiences <strong>of</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> IMT in six states, viz., Bihar,
Haryana. Gujarat. Maharshtra, Tamilnadu and Kerala shows that the IMT as
currently practices in India is not' demand driven', as there is no pressure from
the farmers as well as political interest groups. Rather, it is a policy devised by
irrigation pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. bureaucrats and academics concerned with irrigation
development in India.
However. it needs further empirical probing that how far the efforts to
ensure beneficiary participation in irrigation management through lMT could be
successful in Indian conditions. where much <strong>of</strong> the irrigation commands are
characterised by dominance <strong>of</strong> landed aristocracy and divergence in cropping
patterns. etc. The Planning Commission appears to be pessimistic about the
success as revealed by its observation that... "the area covered by these
initiatives [beneficiary participation] is vcry small. less than one per cent <strong>of</strong> the
area irrigated at present. .... For the most part, the outlet and canal committees
are there only in name; their functions are vague; they seldom meet; they are not
consulted on substantive issues; nor are department <strong>of</strong>ficers required to follow
their advice. There is also considerable reluctance, if not opposition, from the
operational staff <strong>of</strong> irrigation departments to involving users in management: and
even users themselves tend to be apathetic to the idea" (GOl, 1992: 126-7).
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