Joint Management and Turnover Programs: A Case Study of the Agency Managed Irrigation Systems in Nepal

Abstract

"The agency managed irrigation systems (AMIS) in Nepal are not utilized to their full potential. Available information reveals that the AMIS irrigate on average 64% of the service area in the monsoon season and only 21% in the winter Water use efficiency of surface irrigation scheme is very low, the values ranging from 20% to 47% Lack of farmer participation, low collection of irrigation fees and inadequate resource allocation for operation and maintenance (O&M) emphasis on construction rather than on management and shortage of trained and motivated Department of Irrigation (DOI) personnel to operate schemes efficiently are the prominent factors In order to improve this dismal situation, farmers' participation in all stages of irrigation development and management is considered as an absolute requirement Beginning Seventh File Year Plan (1986 - 90) there has been growing realization of users' participation in the implementation, operation and management of irrigation programs A number of policy reforms have been made since then including Basic Needs Program (1988), Water Resoruces Act (1992) and Irrigation Policy (1992) The Irrigation Policy is instrumental in supporting users' participation in O&M of irrigation systems Two action plans steming from the policy arc turnover(TO) of medium and small-scale AMIS to Water Users'Association (WUA) and joint management (JM) of large irrigation schemes by increasing farmers' participation JM is where farmers and agency make joint decisions concerning irrigation system improvement and O&M and farmers and agency agree on delineation of responsibilities in order to get increased and sustained agricultural production through the improvement of system performance."