Manual - Participatory rapid diagnosis and action ... - FAO.org

24 Chapter 3. Constituents of irrigated agricultural system• Layout and water distributionIs water distribution reliable for all the command area? Have some parts ofthe command area been abandoned because of lack of water? If yes, what isthe cause?Are water losses important? If yes, what is the cause: problems of canalsiltation, seepage, leakage, over-topping?Do water control structures on canals permit a satisfactory waterdistribution?Is waterlogging a problem in some parts of the command area? What is thecause?• Plots and water useDo the farmers have a good technical command of irrigation? Are the plotswell levelled? Is the irrigation method well adapted to crops and soil?Plot useAs a conclusion the analysis of plot use should answer the followingquestion: How good is actual crop productivity in relation to farmers’practices, know-how and production means both in cash and yield?A better understanding of this requires knowledge of:• the objectives farmers assign to irrigation: food security, cash income,mixed?• the trend towards crop specialization or diversification and reasonswhy? What are farmers’ criteria for crop selection?• labour intensification, labour competition between irrigation and otheractivities;• intensification: use of inputs, farming equipment;• land rights: what are the conditions for access to land? Are land rightssecure enough to allow farmers to invest in their land (i.e. increase soilfertility, plant perennial crops)? How many farmers are sharecroppersand under what terms?• water rights: what are the conditions for access to water and againstwhich obligations, i.e. payment of water fee?OrganizationMain question: What are the achievements and challenges ahead of theWUA and Cooperative Society?It is important to answer the main question by: