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

components of the same l . The environmental problems in a command area can traced and
analyzed through an in-depth micro level study on institutions taking into account field
realities.
Research objectives
The general objective of the study is to examine the adequacy and effectiveness of WUAs
in the promotion of efficient irrigation management systems. In doing so, it tries to study
the role of WUAs in improving water use efficiency and ensuring environmental safety. It
also tries to examine the institutional factors necessary for successful and sustainable
participation by the farmers. The plausible economic benefits in terms of productivity and
also in avoiding or minimizing adverse effects on soil fertility would be examined.
The speci fic obj ecti ves are to:
1. Identify the necessary and sufficient conditions for the sustainability of WUAs in a
large agency-managed irrigation project.
2. Examine the effectiveness of WUAs in allocation and distribution of water and to
control' free riders'.
3. Identify the factors causing soil salinity and waterlogging and to examine farmers'
perception about causes, consequences and preventive measures.
4. Examine the nature of the strategies employed by the stakeholders to overcome the
problem of waterlogging and salinity.
5. Analyze the problems and prospects of bottom-up approach through WUAs and
suggest appropriate measures to ensure user-fiiendly interface between farmers and the
irrigation department.
Hypothesis
Given the objectives mentioned above, the following hypotheses are set up.
1. Irrigation management by the farmers through an association leads to better
maintenance of canals and irrigation structures.
I 'Hardware' aspects relate to technical and physical inputs while 'software' aspects relate to people and
institutions.
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