Irrigation Systems under Market Pressure and Changing Institutional Settings: Comparative Perspective from Nepal and Thailand

Abstract

"This paper assesses institutional dynamics and performance of irrigation systems amid change in political, economic and social settings in the country. Taking cases of 50 irrigation systems each from Nepal and Thailand, we analyze these issues both at cross-national and intra-country level. In Nepal new irrigation policy brought out after the political changes of 1990 laid emphasis on participatory approach of irrigation management in the form of transfer of management responsibility from government to users. With the changes in irrigation policy the management responsibility of many government-built irrigation systems has been transferred to users. The water users associations of traditional farmer managed irrigations systems are also registered formally to related authorities. In Thailand with the adoption of participatory irrigation management policy government encouraged peoples participation in irrigation management. At present, users are directly involved in management of large irrigation systems at tertiary canal level. Similarly, traditional communal irrigation systems at northern Thailand received support for system infrastructure improvement but with some interference in governance. Market pressures and other related economic factors have significant influence on institutional arrangements. In Nepal the command areas of majority of irrigation systems include cereal-based subsistence farming with only few systems having commercial farming. But market led economy of Thailand has created condition for diversification in farming practices resulting into increased area under high water demanding commercial crops. The changing water demand scenario has ultimately influenced collective action for irrigation systems management."