Water Users Association and Irrigation Management - Institute for ...

PIM initiative did not originate in the group of water users, but came from outside. PIM
was an idea of the government and fanners were confronted with it. Serious efforts were
not made to understand even the basic features of the local situation with regard to water
management and distribution and social relations in the community. There is also a strong
tendency by the CADA officials to hold discussions with large fanners and local leaders
only. This ignores the ditlerential interests and perceptions within the group of fanners.
The primary interest of the irrigation agency was the physical interventions that were part
of the refonn process.
Conclusion
The detailed analyses presented above on various aspects of WUA fonnation and its impact
on reducing the adverse effects of irrigation brings out interesting findings. A brief
overview of which is presented here.
In Gundur, the physical boundaries of the WUA are fixed. In the absence of technical
means to distribute water, a proportionate water distribution principle based on customary
practices and agreed allocation rules is practiced. The system facilitated farmers to meet
crop-water requirements effectively. In HagedaI, in the absence of a WUA or any strict
regulatory body, illegal irrigation practices are a common feature. This unauthorized and
illegal behavior has contributed to inefficient water use leading to waterlogging ,and
salinity.
Resource mobilization for efficient management of water distribution system is good in
Gundur village where WUA is active. Farmers are not hesitant to pay water charges on
time since the quality of irrigation service is provided by the WUA. The WUA is
financially viable due to a progressive revision in the water charges, high rates of recovery
and mobilization of local labor to carry out the maintenance activities of infrastructure. The
WUA has ensured a high degree of transparency and accountability in their relations with
the members. This has helped members to repose confidence and trust in the WUA. Office
bearers with strong managerial skills have achieved sound management of infrastructure
and provided good irrigation service to the WUA members. In Hagcdal, reluctance to pay
water charges is due to bad maintenance of infrastructure by the agency and also there is an
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