A Case Study from System H, Sri Lanka

CHAPTER 6Coordinated Approach in Operational PlanningENCOURAGING FARMER PARTICIPATIONIT WAS RB~M~N~ED that an effective organization at the distributary level was essential for good coordination. On theadvice of the General Manager, MEA, the distributary channel organizations were formed in HS in 1986 to revitalize.farmer organizations at field channel level, and to federate them at the distributary channel level, so that they could playa more active and responsible role in Operation and Maintenance (O&M) activities. The main objectives of thedistributary channel organization were:a) To establish continuous dialogue between farmer leaders and officers in all aspects of O&M along the distributarychannel.b) To help organize land preparation and other agricultural activities so that the water distribution program can becarried out smoothly.c) To prevent farmers causing damage to smcm and to make them attend to minor repairs whenevernecessary.d) To make arrangements to prevent wastage of water.e) To get farmer organizations to maintain their field channels more conscientiously to enable a smooth flow of waterthroughout the channel.f) Toget the distributary organization itself to take on the contract to effect necessary maintenance work on thedistributary channels. It was envisaged at the maintenance would be done be- by the distributary channelorganization since it was their own channel they were maintaining.g) Toinvolvefarmers more and more in O&M activitiesoftheirri~onsystematdistributarychannelleveland toreduce their dependency on officials.OFFICERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONSa) The Project Irrigation Engineer, in consultation with the Resident Project Manager, block managers, irrigationengineers, engineering assistants, and unit managers, is responsible for forming the distributary channelorganizations. He should list out the objectives of forming this organi?ation and they have to be clearly explainedto farmex leaders. He has to list out the hrnctons and obligations of the members of a distributary channelorganization.b) The Project Imgation Engineer has to prepare the inventory of distributary channel organizations giving all thedetails of each organization.c) The Pmjeh Irrigation Engineer and the block manager should convene meetings with the irrigation engineer,engineering assistant, unit managers, and field assistants to form the distributary channel organizations. A turnoutleader should be elected as the distributary channel organidon leader.d) The block irrigation engineer and the engineering assistant should play an important role in the organization andfunction of the distributary channel organization.e) The engineering assistant and the unit manager should only play an advisory role in the association. Theengineering assistant of the distributary channel should record the minutes of distributary channel organizationmeetings. and keep all wards related to the functions of the organimfion.t) The unit manager, along with his field assistant, must participate in all activities of the distributary channelorganization.21