Organizational Change for Participatory Irrigation Management

concrete spillway, sluice gates and outlet channel. The project is in operation, supplying water
to 300 ha of rice fields that have been developed.
Drainage infrastructure is already in place for 750 ha through 32 km of drains, 8.5 km
of seawall and four outfall structures. 300 ha developed so far include 14 km of canals, 52
canal structures and a subterranean siphon pipeline across Navua River.
The Navua West Irrigation Scheme comprises 110 ha of rice field and was initially
irrigated by water pumped from the Navua River. After completion of Navua River siphon in
1991 and restoration in 1993, irrigation of Navua West Scheme is provided by water from
Wainikavika Dam. Apart from the maintenance works involved in the siphon and other general
maintenance work such as weeding and desilting of canals and drains are carried out as a
routine.
Irrigation in the Northern Division
The Northern Division Irrigation Project commenced in early 1980s under government
funding. By mid-1980s funds were supplemented under AIDAB, which provided more than
F$5 million till 1992. So far four irrigation schemes have been completed at a cost of F$8
million and covering an area of more than 1,419 ha.
Irrigation schemes consist of irrigation and drain canals, canal structures, field structures
and various other infrastructure. These components facilitate to convey irrigation water from
dam reservoir; river or other source of used water to areas where crops require irrigation; such
as rice paddies and vegetable plots.
In order to continue efficient supply of water for irrigation, routine maintenance of canals
and various other infrastructures must be carried out on time. Moreover, associated drainage
system also needs to be maintained for continued drainage efficiency so as to enable
agricultural production without threat of damage due to water-logging, flooding and saline
water intrusion. Similarly, irrigation access roads require repair and grading. Other special
infrastructure such as dam, spillway, siphon, pond, pump and others have specific maintenance
requirements.
Furthermore frequent natural disasters such as cyclones cause flooding resulting in heavy
situation in drains and irrigation canals and as well as neglect of maintenance due to lack of
funds in past years. Hence, timely maintenance is indispensable for efficient irrigation and
optimum agricultural production.
Even though farmers are levied with irrigation rates, revenue collected from such rate
go directly to central revenue.
The Extension Division currently coordinates participation of farmers in operation and
maintenance irrigation projects. Meetings and workshops are being conducted to assist farmers
organizations in an attempt to train farmers to undertake operation and maintenance of
irrigation projects in the future.
Problems and Constraints
Some general constraints to irrigated agriculture, with special reference to farmer
participation are listed below. This is followed by the concluding section on suggestions for
the future.
i) The deteriorated state of infrastructure, which had been in operation for over 20 years
with no major rehabilitation;
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