62) decentralised governance of irrigation water in cambodia - CDRI

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Cambodia is currently embarked on a significant programme of irrigation development. The
technical design of irrigation projects has generally improved, but there remain a number of
challenges in the governance of irrigation that inhibit the schemes from working effectively,
equitably and sustainably. This study investigates the extent to which the governance of
irrigation matches the requirements of diverse irrigation schemes through detailed ethnographic
study of three schemes: Rolous and Stung Chinit in Kampong Thom province and Damnak
Ampil (DAP) in Pursat province. Specifically, it investigates (1) the degree of match between
the governance arrangements and requirements imposed by the physical configuration of these
schemes, and (2) ways in which stipulated governance arrangements have been modified in
response to local requirements.
The study found discrepancies between actual governance practices and the ideal
governance principles, as outlined in Participatory Irrigation Management Development (PIMD)
and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), and the spatial and infrastructural
context of the schemes. Specifically, it was observed that the scale of the command areas is
beyond the scope of Farmer Water User Community (FWUC) members and activists who do
not have adequate technical knowledge or finances to repair, develop, and maintain irrigation
infrastructure across their respective schemes. Second, the actual practice of irrigation
management at the scheme and sub-scheme level diverges significantly from the principles of
PIMD and IWRM. For example, the actual roles of the FWUCs fall short of those stipulated in
their mandate and are not particularly well-executed.
The strongest role of the FWUCs across different case-study schemes is that of a
mediator between farmers and PDOWRAM, rather than their principal mandate of competently
managing the schemes. The FWUCs also have a role in allocating water from primary and
secondary canals, resolving minor conflicts between farmers within the community, and
collecting Irrigation Service Fees; however, the execution of these tasks is inconsistent and
often lacking. The findings conclude that the current governance arrangements deviate from
both the requirements imposed by the physical configuration of the schemes and the idealised
theoretical governance purported in the PIMD policies. The study then suggests that to fix the
problems, changes need to be made to policy and FWUC mandates as well as to the governance
structure to provide more support to FWUCs and to adapt them to be more closely aligned with
existing governance frameworks.
CDRI Working Paper Series No. 62
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