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

collects drainage water that is pumped out to lower the water table, which the co-operative
monitors. The fanners pay Rs.300 per acre per year for the drainage, a fraction of
incremental value of increased productivity of the reclaimed land. The drainage cooperative
is now also beginning to function as an irrigation management society for water
distribution.
Hooja (2000) analysed participatory irrigation and drainage in India and highlighted the
"time is right" factor as a prerequisite for drainage to be accepted and implemented in the
country. Socioeconomic and institutional factors are also important. The author concludes
that drainage should be viewed as one important component of an integrated multidisciplinary
water and agriculture management strategy encompassing improved mainsystem
management and operation, on-fann development, improved on fann waterapplication
techniques and agriculture irrigation extension. Creation of Water User's
Associations (WUAs) is most important for effective implementation of the drainage
program. Effective technical, economic, participatory and administrative planning is
essential for such an effort to succeed.
Sinha (2000) discussed fanners' participation In the Partapgarh sub-project of the Uttar
Pradesh Sodic Land Reclamation Project in India. The project aims to develop appropriate
water-management strategies, including drainage infrastructure, with fanners' participation.
The survey confinned that because the fanners' association would not be able to sustain
drainage activity alone, fanners in the pilot sub-project should be organized under canal
water management, with drainage as an additional function.
Srivastava et a!. (2000) studied fanners' participation in drainage works in the Chambal
Command Area Project in Rajasthan, where a subsurface drainage system has been
installed. Fanners, who participated at all stages, were convinced through awareness
campaigns, village meetings, demonstration days and visits to research sites. They
participated in restoring fields after drainage installation and contributed labour and money
for drain desilting. The study suggested that in view of the experience of fanners'
involvement in drain construction, it might be time to entrust WUAs with the management
of drainage systems as well as irrigation systems.
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