Constitutional Choice for Common Property Management: The Case of Irrigation Associations

Abstract

"Massive investments in irrigation facilities by developing countries and largely funded by international and bilateral donor agencies attest to the belief that irrigation is a key weapon in the battle against world hunger and poverty. Yet ex post evaluation of irrigation projects tell a disappointing story. Benefits are typically vastly below the projected levels. In the literature that has grown up around this problem, the most commonly cited symptom of poor water management is 'organizational failures.' Some progress has been made towards generating principles for the successful organization of irrigation systems by studying indigenous water user associations that have evolved largely independently of the plans and programs of central governments."