irrigated agriculture productivity final report

8/7/2019 Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Final Report

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Demonstrating Enhanced Productivity of Irrigated Agriculture System through Multifunctional

Water Users Association

A Pilot Demonstration Activity (PDA)

A study supported under:

Regional Technical Assistance for Knowledge and Innovation Support (RETA 6498) of AsianDevelopment Bank (ADB)

Final Report

Submitted by:

INPIM-Nepal

In association of:

Nepal Engineering College (nec)

Changunarayan, Bhaktapur

&

Farmer Managed Irrigation System Promotion Trust-Nepal (FMIST-Nepal)

The views expressed in this presentation are the views of the speaker and do not necessarilyreflect the views or policiesof the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, orthe governments they represent. ADB does notguarantee the accuracy of the data included inthis paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use.Terminology usedmay not necessarily be consistent with ADB official terms.



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Abbreviations and Acronyms

ADB Asian Development Bank

AMIS Agency Managed Irrigation System

CBO Community Based Organization

CMIASP Community Managed Irrigated Agriculture Sector Project

DDC District Development Committee

DOI Department of Irrigation

DOA Department of Irrigation

FFS Farmers’ Field School

FMIS Farmer Managed Irrigation System

FMIST Farmer Managed Irrigation System Promotion Trust

INPIM-Nepal International Network of Participatory Irrigation Management-Nepal ChapterIWMI International Water Management Institute

KW Kilo-Watt

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NFIWUAN National Federation of Irrigation Water Users Associations-Nepal

O&M Operation and Maintenance

PDA Pilot Demonstration Activity

RETA Regional Technical Assistance

VDC Village Development Committee

WUA Water Users’ Association



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Table of Content

1. Background .........................................................................................................................2

2. Methodological Approach ..................................................................................................2

3. Study Activities ...................................................................................................................3

3.1 Literature Review .................................................................................................................. 3

3.2 Policy Review ......................................................................................................................... 5

3.3 Process Documentation ........................................................................................................ 6

3.3.1 Objective and Expected Output of the Process Documentation Study .................................. 6

3.3.2 Selected FMISs for Process Documentation Study .................................................................. 7

3.3.3 Approach to Process Documentation ....................................................................................... 8

3.4 Case Study on FMISs Involving Self-Evolving Multifunctional WUAs ................................ 9

3.4.1 Objectives and Expected Output of the Case Study ................................................................ 9

3.4.2 Approach to the Case Study .................................................................................................... 10

3.4.3 Selected Irrigation Systems for the Case Study ...................................................................... 10

3.4.4 Limitations of the Case Study .................................................................................................. 18

4. Key Findings ......................................................................................................................18

4.1 Experiences with Multifunctional WUAs in Nepal and Elsewhere................................... 18

4.2 Policy Reviews ...................................................................................................................... 20

4.3 Process Documentation in Three FMISs under CMIASP ................................................... 22

4.4 Case Study of Self Evolving Multifunctional WUAs ........................................................... 24

Annexes

I. Process Documentation: Tanting Irrigation System

II. Process Documentation: Ikudha Irrigation System

III. Process Documentation: Sikharkateri Irrigation System

IV. Case Studies



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1. Background

International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management- Nepal Chapter (INPIM-Nepal) together

with Farmer Managed Irrigation System Promotion Trust (FMIST) and Nepal Engineering College (nec)

were entrusted to undertake a study, titled, Demonstrating Enhanced Productivity in Irrigated

Agricultural System through Multifunctional Water Users’ Association under Pilot Demonstration

Activity (PDA) under Regional Technical Assistance for Knowledge and Innovation Support (RETA 6498)

of Asian Development Bank (ADB), over the period July 14, 2009-December 31, 2010. The study aimed at

establishing the value of multifunctional water users’ association (WUA) and evaluating the potential for

and merit of building multifunctional WUAs in Nepalese irrigation systems. While attempting this overall

objective, the specific objectives adapted by the study were as follows:

I. To evaluate the factors, environment and processes supporting and/or constraining theevolution of multifunctional WUAs,

II. To assess the changes resulting from multifunctional engagement of WUAs to the delivery of

irrigation services, performance of irrigated agriculture and enhancement of support services

and livelihood opportunities in the irrigated areas,

III. To document the stages and the processes of evolution of multifunctional WUAs and identify

the roles of the policies and institutional support thereto, and

IV. To draw lessons with regards to promotion of multifunctional WUAs in Nepalese irrigation

systems, and more specifically in context of the irrigation systems undergoing rehabilitation and

improvement under Community Managed Irrigated Agriculture Sector Project (CMIASP).

In conceiving the stated study, the outcomes of the study were expected to be relevant (and wherepossible also instrumental) in formulating and designing the processes in the execution of Community

Managed Irrigated Agriculture Sector Project (CMIASP, ADB Loan 2102) underway in the Central and

Eastern Development Regions of Nepal beginning July 2006 under Department of Irrigation,

Government of Nepal. CMIASP aims to enhance the performance and sustainability of farmer managed

irrigation systems (FMISs) by providing three faceted support of improving irrigation infrastructures,

promoting improved agricultural technology and practices and creating opportunities for livelihood

enhancement and diversification in the irrigated areas, all creating synergy towards sustainable

performance of FMISs. In undertaking the envisaged support programs under CMIASP, WUAs are

expected to be empowered in managing irrigation infrastructures, agricultural support services and

livelihood enhancement activities, with the expectation of WUAs functioning as multifunctional social

entity in the irrigated agricultural systems. It is in this context that the findings of the study are expected

to add value in streamlining the approaches under CMIASP in capacitating WUAs to evolve as

multifunctional social institutions.

This report has been prepared based on the activities and outcomes of the stated study undertaken over

the period July 14, 2009-December 31, 2010.

2. Methodological Approach

In the framework of the methodological approach, following activities were included in the study plan

with each set of activities generating relevant information consistent to the study objectives:



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i. Review of relevant literatures and secondary sources of information, leading to the

documentation of the experiences with regards to the evolution of multifunctional WUAs in

Nepal and outside, providing bases to enumerating the values and processes of evolution of multifunctional WUAs in the irrigated area.

ii. Review of policy frameworks and institutional arrangements likely to support/foster and/or

impede the processes of development of multifunctional WUAs in Nepal.

iii. Process analysis of evolution of multifunctional WUAs in selected FMISs undergoing the

rehabilitation and improvement and capacity building under CMIASP.

iv. Case studies on selected FMISs demonstrating successful models/examples of self-evolving

multifunctional WUAs.

3. Study Activities

This section discusses in length the activities included in the study and the approach to undertaking the

activities in order to define the scope and focus of each component of the activities in the study plan.

3.1Literature Review

One of the important components of the study has been review of relevant literatures presenting

diverse experiences with regards to evolution and relevance of multifunctional WUAs in the irrigated

areas in different parts of the world, especially those presenting the experiences and/or contextual to

the Asian and more specifically South Asian contexts. The aim tied to this activity was to develop

bibliographical review on multifunctional WUAs and synthesizing the experiences in different parts of

the world in deriving implications in the context of promotion of multifunctional WUAs in Nepalese

irrigation systems. In undertaking the literature review, the direction and focus of the literature review

has been on:

i. Processes of evolution of multifunctional WUAs in different contexts.

ii. Contextual variables (social, economic, institutional and political) permitting and/or constraining

the evolution of multifunctional WUAs.

iii. Positive and/or negative consequences resulting from multifunctionality of WUAs on operation

and management functions, irrigation service delivery and delivery of support services in

irrigated agricultural system.

iv. Policy prescriptions supportive and/or constraining to the evolution of multifunctional WUAs

under the farmers', joint and public sector management regimes.

v. Support services and environment fostering evolution of multifunctional WUAs.

The list of literatures that were included in the review in the course of developing bibliographical review

of literatures relating to evolution of multifunctional WUAs is provided hereunder:

i. Uphoff, N.T (2004). Irrigation Association and Improved Irrigation Performance. In Report of

APO Seminar on Linking Main System Management for Improved Irrigation Management held in

Sri Lanka, June 3-8, 2002. Asian Productivity Organization.

ii. Wijayaratna C.M (2004). Role of Public and Private Sectors, NGOs and Water Users’ Association

and Other Stakeholders in Irrigation Management in 21st

Century. In Report of APO Seminar on

Linking Main System Management for Improved Irrigation Management held in Sri Lanka, June

3-8, 2002. Asian Productivity Organization.



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iii. World Bank (2002). The Role of Rural Producers Organization in the World Bank Rural

Development Strategy, Pierre-Marie Bosc, Didier Eychenne, Karim Hussein, Maire-Rose

Mercoiret, Pierre Rondot and Sadie Mackintosh-Walker (eds.). Rural Development Strategy

Background Paper No. 8, The World Bank Rural Development Family.iv. USAID (2006). Water Users’ Associations (WUAs) in Afghanistan. Development Alternatives Inc.

v. IWMI (2006). Raising irrigation productivity and releasing water for intersectoral needs

(RIPARWIN): RIPARWIN final technical report by University of East Anglia, Overseas

Development Group and Sokoine University of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural

Engineering, Soil Water Research Group & International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Africa Regional Office.

vi. Boisvert, R. N. and Chang, H. H. (2006). Multifunctional agricultural policy, reduced domestic

support and liberalized trade: an empirical assessment for Taiwanese rice. IWMI.

vii. Gioradano Meredith, Samad M. and Manara R. (2006). Assessing the outcomes of IWMI’s

research and interventions on irrigation management transfer.IWMI.

viii. Barbara van Koppen, Patrick Moriarty and Eline Boelee (2006). Multiple-Use Water Services toAdvance the Millennium Development Goals. IWMI.

ix. Regmi A.R. (2007). Water security and Farmer Managed Irrigation Systems in Nepal. In Natural

Resources Security in South Asia: Nepal’s Water, Fiona Rotberg and Ashok Swain (eds.). Institute

for Security and Development Policy, Sweden.

x. Shivakoti, G. (2007). Coping with Policy, institutions and Governance Challenges of Water

Resources Issues with Special Reference to Irrigation in Nepal. In Natural Resources Security in

South Asia: Nepal’s Water, Fiona Rotberg and Ashok Swain (eds.). Institute for Security and

Development Policy, Sweden.

xi. Shrestha S.P (1987). Multifunctional, Non-Residential Irrigation Organization: A Case Study of

Kodku Irrigation System in Kathmandu Valley. Proceedings of a National Seminar in Irrigation

Management in Nepal, organized at Bharatpur, Nepal, June 4-6, 1987. IIMI, IAAS and Winrock

International.

xii. Gautam, U. (1987). Institutional Building and Rural Development in Nepal: Godkhar Water Users

Committee. Proceedings of a National Seminar in Irrigation Management in Nepal, organized at

Bharatpur, Nepal, June 4-6, 1987. IIMI, IAAS and Winrock International.

xiii. Pradhan, P. (2002). Water Users Association towards Diversified Activities: Experience of Nepal

and Other Countries. Discussion Paper, Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis, Indiana

University.

xiv. The World Bank (2005). Shaping the Future of Water for Agriculture: A Source Book for

Investment in Agricultural Water Management. Agricultural and Rural Development (ARD).

xv. Sinha, S (undated). The Conditions for Collective Action: Land Tenure and Farmers’ Group in

Rajasthan Canal Project. Gatekeeper Series No. 57. IIED, Swedish International Development

Authority (SIDA).xvi. Abernethy, C. L. (1998). The functions of information, communication, transparency and

accountability in promoting institutional reform and co-operation. In Abernethy and Heim

(eds.): Institutional reform and co-operation in irrigated agriculture, with special reference to

Lao PDR and Vietnam. DSE/ZEL, Feldafing/Zschortau, Germany.

xvii. Bernethy, C. L., Sally, H., Lonsway, K., and Maman, C. (2000). Farmer-based financing of

operations in the Niger Valley irrigation schemes. Research Report 37, International Water

Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

xviii. Batuwitage, Gamini P. 1999. Farmers Organizations to Farmers Companies: A Mode of

Operation of Growth and Equity, in Prachanda Pradhan (ed) Role of Institutions in Rural

Community Development, Tokyo: APO.



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xix. Groenfeldt., David. Moving Upstream: Changing Roles for the Users and the State in Irrigation

Management. (WWW.inpim.org)

xx. Frederiksen, H. D., and Vissia, R. J. (1998). Considerations in formulating the transfer of services

in the water sector. International Water Management Institute, Colombo.xxi. Ostrom, E. (1992). Crafting institutions for self-governing irrigation systems. Institute for

Contemporary Studies, San Francisco.

xxii. Ostrom, E. 1990. Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action.

NY: Cambridge Press.

xxiii. Ostrom, E. 1994. Neither Market nor State: Governance of Common-Pool Resources in the

Twenty First Century. Washington, DC, IFPRI.

xxiv. Pradhan, Prachanda. (ed.). 1998. Irrigation Association for Participatory Management in Asia.

Tokyo: Asian Productivity Organization.

xxv. Pradhan, Prachanda. 1989. Patterns of Irrigation Organization in Nepal, IIMI: Colombo, Sri Lanka.

xxvi. Pradhan, Prachanda. (ed.). 1999. Role of Institutions in Rural Community Development. Tokyo:

APO.xxvii. Pradhan, P., and Bandaragoda, D. J. 1998. Legal and institutional environment of water users’

association for sustainable irrigation management. In: Pradhan, P. (ed.), 1998: Irrigation

association for participatory management in Asia. Proceedings of a seminar at Lahore. Asian

Productivity Organisation, Tokyo.

xxviii. Reidinger, Richard. 2001. “Bank seeks Sustenance for WUA Model” in China Development Brief ,

Vol. IV. No. 1, Summer, 2001.

xxix. Warsakoon, M. B. 1999. Empowerment of Farmers Association in Sri Lanka: Farmers

Organization Development and Farmer Company in Prachanda Pradhan (ed) Role of Institutions

in Rural Community Development. Tokyo: APO.

3.2Policy Review

Policy review intending to analyze the prevailing irrigation, agricultural and cooperative development

policies, supporting or impeding the process of evolution of multifunctional WUAs in irrigated

agriculture was considered important in supporting the objective of the study. The policy reviews

undertaken as a part of this study were focused on:

i. Direction of policy frameworks relating to irrigation, agriculture and cooperative development

before and after 1970s to establish envisaged policy linkages to evolution of WUAs, and more

specifically to multifunctional WUAs in irrigated agriculture. (The time lines of before and after

1970s have been set considering major shift in development policy beginning this time,

emphasizing decentralization, people’s participation, inclusion and strengthening of community

base organizations and their increased role in the agricultural and rural development processes).

ii. Development planning and programs resulting from the policy emphases (and also due to the

shift in the policies) at different periods of time and their outcomes.

iii. Institutional changes/re-structuring resulting from policy emphases (and also due to the shift in

the policy emphases) at different periods of time and their outcomes.

iv. Identification of strengths (and also constraints/limitations) in the existing policy frameworks

and institutional arrangements, supporting or impeding the evolution of multifunctional WUAs.



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3.3Process Documentation

3.3.1 Objective and Expected Output of the Process Documentation Study

The significant element of approach to the development and improvement of irrigation infrastructures

and services under CMIASP is focus on capacity building of water users and capacitating the WUAs for

enhanced engagements in irrigated agriculture, beyond the regular operation and management of

irrigation infrastructures and services. In order to achieve this, alongside of support towards

improvement of the physical infrastructures, the project foresees supporting the water users and WUAs

in such activities as: i) dissemination of improved agricultural technologies through farmers’ field school

(FFS); ii) seed multiplication for local level seed security; iii) market promotion; iv) promotion of women

participation; vi) linkages with micro-finance institutions for access to micro-credit; vii) vegetable

gardening; and viii) promotion of income generating activities. All these activities are expected to create

multiplier effects in the agricultural productivity enhancement, employment generation, poverty

alleviation and sustainable development of irrigated agriculture.

Implicit in the stated activities are capacitating the WUAs to undertake multiple roles in irrigated

agriculture, alongside of their roles in the operation and management of irrigation infrastructure and

services. CMIASP foresees series of capacity building programs and promotional activities undertaken in

tandem with the rehabilitation and improvement of the physical infrastructures in the irrigation system.

It is in these premises that documentation of processes of rehabilitation and improvement of physical

infrastructures and the activities focused to capacity building of water users and WUAs, envisaged under

CMIASP, was decided to be undertaken in three FMISs undergoing rehabilitation and improvement

support under CMIASP. The process documentation study was expected to generate real time

information relating to capacitating WUAs in the three systems and thereby enhancing their capacitiesto undertaking multiple roles besides the traditional roles in the operation and management of

irrigation infrastructures and services. The outcome of the study was expected to be valuable for policy

formulation relating to undertaking of the proposed intervention in the selected FMISs and replicating

the experiences in the other sub-projects.

The process documentation study in three FMISs was undertaken over a period of one year from

November 8, 2009 to November 30, 2010 with following specific objectives:

i. to document the processes and progress in the undertaking of the activities relating to

rehabilitation and improvement of physical infrastructures and capacity building of water users

and WUAs in such areas as promotion of improved agricultural knowledge/technology and

practices, market promotion, women participation, micro-credit and income generating

activities.

ii. to note the changes in the level of participation of the users in the decision making relating to

operation and management of irrigation infrastructures and services, adaption of improved

agricultural technologies and practices and participation in livelihood

improvement/enhancement activities.

iii. to use the results of the process documentation study in assessing the progress towards

capacitating the WUAs in accepting multiple roles and functioning as multifunctional entity in

irrigated agricultural system.



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The process documentation has been considered to be an important part of the proposed study leading

to generating real time data/information on processes leading to development of multifunctional WUAs.

The outcome of the study is also expected to be valuable for micro-policy formulation relating to

undertaking of the proposed intervention in the selected PDR sub-projects, and replicating theexperiences in the other sub-projects based on the experiences gained in the PDR sub-projects.

3.3.2 Selected FMISs for Process Documentation Study

In attempt to selecting the FMISs for process documentation study, following three systems from among

27 Batch-1 sub-projects undergoing rehabilitation and improvement under CMISP were identified for

the process documentation study:

i. Tanting Kalikoshi Irrigation System in Arujundhara VDC in Jhapa District

ii. Sikhar Kateri Irrigation System in Ravi Opee VDC in Kavre District

iii. Iku Dha Irrigation System in Thaibe VDC in Lalitpur District

The Batch-1 sub-projects under CMISP were the ones where rehabilitation and improvement of physical

infrastructures and services and the capacity building and livelihood enhancement activities were

expected to be accomplished over 27 Sub-project in 14 districts. Other characteristics of the sub-

projects are presented in Table- 1.

Table- 1: Physical and Institutional Characteristics of Selected Sub-Projects for Process

Documentation Study

Physical and Institutional

Characteristics

Tanting Irrigation

System, Jhapa

Sikhar Kateri Irrigation

System, Kavre

Iku Dha Irrigation

System, Lalitpur

Location Arjundhara VDC, Jhapa

District

Raviopi VDC,

Kavrepalanchok District

Thaiba and Godavai

VDCs, Lalitpur

District

Existing Area under

Irrigation Command

160 ha 70 ha 70 ha

Potential Area under

Irrigation Command

200 ha 100 ha 70 ha

Name and the Nature of

the Source

Tanting and Kali Khola

(Perennial)

Chhahare Khola

(Perennial)

Godavari Khola

(Perennial)

Number of Households 243 92 331

Existence of WUA Registered WUA Registered WUA Registered WUA

Salient features of the three irrigation systems prior to the initiation of the initiation of the support

program under CMIASP are provided in Annex-II. These features provide the bases to note the changes,

emerging in the course of the process documentation, as a result of the undertaking of the support

programs under CMIASP.



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3.3.3 Approach to Process Documentation

The process documentation study in the three FMISs involved systematic documentation of the events

and processes relating to:

i. Improvement of physical infrastructures in the irrigation schemes undertaken as a part of the

support under CMIASP

ii. Capacity development of the WUAs relating to operation and management functions and

delivery of irrigation services.

iii. Improvement in the agricultural technology and practices aimed at enhancing the productivity

of irrigated agriculture.

iv. Initiatives of market promotion, women participation, micro-credit and income generating

activities aimed towards diversification of income opportunities of water users and their

livelihood improvement.

The documentation of the events and processes on day to day basis in the course of the undertaking of

the rehabilitation and improvement under CMIASP was carried by full time process documenters who

were deputed to the three systems on a full time basis over the duration of the process documentation

study. The three process documenters were selected from among the users of the irrigation system with

following qualifications:

i. Knowledgeable of and actively engaged in the activities relating to irrigation and agriculture but

not a functionary in existing WUA;

ii. Academic qualification: at least 10th

grade who could effectively read, write and communicate

(This qualification in the selection of the process documenter could not be met in Tanting

Irrigation System in Jhapa and Sikharkateri Irrigation System in Kavre, therefore process

documenter who had satisfactory level of reading, writing and communication skills were

selected and deputed for the task);

iii. Socially active and having some experience of working in CBOs or local NGOs; and

iv. Willingness to undertake the task.

The process documenters deputed in the three systems were trained to document the events and

processes commencing in the course of the rehabilitation and improvement of the systems. A three days

long training session was organized on March 15 to 17, 2010 prior to the recruitment and deputation of

the process documenters, wherein two possible persons from each system who met the above

qualification and had shown intent to contribute as process documenter, participated in the training.

The framework of the process documentation is shown in Fig. 1. While the process documenters wereexpected to systematically document every single events and process in the course of undertaking of

the rehabilitation and improvement and capacity building activities, they were also expected to record

the decision making and participation of the users and functionaries of the WUA in the undertaking of

the activities. The documentation involved:



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Fig. 2 Framework of Process Documentation

Tasks/activities relating to rehabilitation and improvement of the irrigation infrastructures

undertaken and accomplished on different dates,

Decisions made in WUA on different dates with regards to the improvement in the physical

infrastructures and services and those relating to strengthening and intensifying the agricultural

practices,

Decisions relating to resources mobilization,

Capacity building of WUA undertaken by Department of Irrigation through CMIASP and other

agencies,

Resolution of conflicts emerging in the course of undertaking of the improvement of the

physical infrastructures in the irrigation system, and

Any other events and processes relevant to the strengthening of the WUA or the irrigation

system.

3.4Case Study on FMISs Involving Self-Evolving Multifunctional WUAs

3.4.1 Objectives and Expected Output of the Case Study

There are examples of FMISs and Agency managed Irrigation Systems (AMISs), where WUAs have been

instrumental in getting engaged in the activities beyond regular operation and management of irrigation

systems and the delivery of irrigation services, such as those relating to input and marketing of

agricultural produce, income generation, livelihood improvement and social development works. These

demonstrate successful models of self-evolving multifunctional WUAs. It was found useful to look into

the evolution of such multifunctional WUAs, their multiple roles in the irrigated areas and the

opportunities, and also constraints, to the operation and management of the irrigation infrastructures

and services resulting from multiple engagements of the WUAs. The case study on a number of irrigation systems representing different geographical, social and institutional contexts was expected to

provide the bases to establishing the value of the multifunctional WUAs and also looking into the

process and the context that supported the evolution of the multifunctional WUAs. The case studies and

the analysis made across the cases were expected to provide opportunity to answer following questions:

i. What are the positive or negative effects of multifunctional engagements of WUAs on the

performance of irrigation and/or irrigated agricultural system?

ii. Does multifunctional engagement of WUAs lead to development of sustainable irrigation

institution?

iii. What are the processes and stages of evolution of multifunctional WUAs?

Process

What?

When?

How?

Who?

Where?

Input Output



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iv. Is there a potential for translating multifunctionality of WUAs in other irrigation schemes and

what could be the approach and processes thereto?

The case study involved collection of in-depth information relating to evolution of multifunctional WUAsfrom total of 10 irrigation systems from different parts of the country. The approach to the undertaking

of the case study and the methodological tools used in the collection of relevant information are

discussed in length in the following sections.

3.4.2 Approach to the Case Study

The case studies undertaken in selected FMISs and AMISs were essentially exploratory and diagnostic in

nature. The studies in the selected system were accomplished in two stages. The first stage involved

review of secondary sources of information, (published and unpublished reports, diagnostic studies,

feasibility studies and past research works) relevant to the selected irrigation systems. This helped togenerate the background information on the systems. The second stage involved in-depth diagnosis of

the events processes that led to evolution of multifunctional WUAs in the selected irrigation system and

their contributions (both positive and negative) relating to operation and management of the irrigation

system, enhancement and diversification of livelihood opportunities of the users and linking the system

and the farmers to support services and market outside the boundary of the irrigation system. The lines

of inquiries at this stage involved:

i. Timelines of multifunctional engagements of WUAs and the processes thereto.

ii. Areas of multifunctional engagements.

iii. Benefits resulting to water users from multifunctional engagements of WUAs.

iv. Supporting and/or contradicting roles of multifunctional WUAs to regular operation and

management and the delivery of irrigation services.

v. Support services available from government agencies and non-governmental organizations

towards multifunctional roles.

vi. Ways forward to pursuing multiple roles in the irrigated areas.

3.4.3 Selected Irrigation Systems for the Case Study

Total of 7 FMISs and AMISs with multifunctional engagement of WUAs, representing different agro-

ecological zones, community mixes and physical/technical complexities were selected for the case study.

These included:

i. Sardihola-Puranchaur Irrigation System in Kaski District- Western Mid-hills (Agency Developed).

ii. Hemja Irrigation System in Kaski District – Hill River Valley (Agency Developed)

iii. Naubise Phant Irrigation System in Kavrepalanchok District- Central Mid Hills (Agency

Developed)

iv. Hamsambhe Nimu Khola Multipurpose Irrigation System in Panchtahar District- Eastern Mid

Hills(Self Evolving)

v. Baise Kulo in Nawalparasi District- Inner Terai (Developed by Migrant Community- Agency

Supported)

vi. Khaurawa-Hadha Irrigation System in Palpa District- Western Mid Hills (Western Mid Hills- Self

Evolving)



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vii. Palung Khola Irrigation System in Baglung District- Western Mid Hills (Agency Supported,

Inaccessibility- No influence of Market Forces)

The salient features of the irrigation systems and the narration of the evolution of their WUA in terms of

multifunctionality is presented in Table 2.



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Table 2: Features of the Case Systems Included in the Study

S/N Name of the Irrigation

System

Irrigated

Area/Location

Year of

Initiation

Source of Support

for Irrigation

Development/

improvement

Multifunctional Engagements of WUA Remarks

1. Sardikhola-Puranchaur

Irrigation System

500 ha in

Bhurjungkhola VDC

(Ward No.1) and

Puranchaur VDC

(Ward Nos. 6, 7, 8 &9) in Kaski District

1991- 1997 Nepal Irrigation

Sector Project (NISP)

Jansewa Credit and Saving Cooperative

Started by WUA beginning 1994. The

share capital of the cooperative has

grown to Rs. 12.31 million.

The cooperative started different kindsof saving programs.

The cooperative is also engaged in the

supply of seeds and chemical fertilizers.

Two water mills are in operation at

Puranchaur.

WUA engaged in the plantation of trees-

Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), Napier Grass

and bamboo along the canal banks and

in the degraded public lands. In 2010

the WUA earned income of Rs. 58,000

with the sale of forest products.

WUA engaged in the promotion of

coffee production under agro-forestry

system. As of now 33 farmers are

involved in coffee production. In 2009,

they sold 2.5 Tons of raw coffee beans

@ Rs. 27 per kg.

Registered

WUA

formed in

1991

2. Hemja Irrigation System 350 ha in Ward Nos.

1, 2, 3, 4 and 9 of

Hemja VDC in Kaski

District

1982 Asian Development

Bank

WUA initiated a Multipurpose Farmers’

Cooperative (Krishak Bahuuddreshiya

Sahakari Sanstha Ltd.) in 2001. The

share capital of the cooperative has now

grown to Rs. 14.1 million.

Registered

WUA

formed in

1993



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The cooperative is actively involved in

the supply of seeds and chemical

fertilizers to the farmers.

The irrigated area of the system has

now evolved as vegetable production

area with most of the produce supplied

to Pokhara. Every year farmers in the

area have been importing poultry

manure worth Rs. 10 million from

Chitwan District for application in the

vegetables, especially in potato. Thisarea is known as potato production

pocket.

The WUA has been instrumental in

developing a Agricultural Produce

Marketing Center which is involved in

marketing of the agricultural produce

grown in the area.

3. Naubise Phant Irrigation

System

150 ha in Panauti

Municipality (Ward

No. 10) and Ward

Nos. 2,3,4,5 and of

Sharada Batase VDC

in Kavrepalanchok

District

2001-2004 The development of the irrigation

system has contributed to complete

transformation of livelihood

opportunities and economy of the

people in the area. With the availability

of irrigation, the farmers in the area

started growing two potato crops after

rice which has been major source of

households’ cash income. The farmers in the area have started

keeping one or two dairy animals (cow

or buffalo) for milk production. There is

a dairy cooperative operational in the

area. Milk production has been source

of supplemental earning for the

farmers.

Registered

WUA

formed in

2002



14

The first credit and saving cooperative

in the area was started in 1997. Since

this time total of 12 credit and saving

cooperatives have been started in the

area and 9 of them were started after

the development of the irrigation

scheme. Although WUA has not been

instrumental directly in starting the

credit and saving cooperatives, it has

been essentially change in the economy

of the people with the development of the irrigation schemes that led to

increased savings of the farmers

necessitating the initiation of credit and

saving cooperatives.

4. Hamsambhe Nimu Khola

Multipurpose Irrigation

System

25 ha of land in

Ward No. 1 of

Chilling VDC. The

Hydropower

produced in the

scheme serves 120

households in Ward

No. 1 of Chilling VDC

and Ward Nos. 4

and 5 of Pauwa

Sartap VDC.

1970 No external support

for the development

of irrigation canal.

In 2007 the WUA approached UNDP

supported Rural Energy Development

Program (REDP) for the development of

a 13 KW Micro Hydropower System. The

cost of development of the system was

Rs. 2 Million, of which REDP provided

Rs. 840,000, the WUA obtained a credit

of Rs. 200,000 from Agricultural

Development Bank and the users raised

cash @ Rs. 8,000 per household.

WUA has developed a water mill with

equipments for grain milling and oilexpelling. The operation of the water

mill has been leased out to a local

entrepreneur at the cost of Rs. 45,000

per annum payable in three

installments.

A system of water storage and pumping

system has been developed at the cost

Registered

WUA

formed in

2006



15

of Rs. 84,000 supported by UNDP which

is used in operating drip and sprinkler

irrigation system for growing vegetables

and green pepper (locally called Akbare

Khursani). Green pepper costs Rs. 500 to

600 per kg in the local market which has

been important source of cash earnings

for the farmers in the area. Mainly

women farmers are involved in the

production of green pepper which has

enhanced their income earnings.5. Baise Kulo 80 ha in Dumkibas

VDC in Nawalparasi

District

Initiated in

1979 and

expanded to

80 ha in 1988

Support of Irrigation

Line of Credit (ILC)

Program in 1992 for

the rehabilitation

and improvement of

infrastructures.

The WUA has been instrumental in

starting a community forestry program

in 1997. This was started as a part of

conservation and restoration initiative

in the headwater area. Total of 252

households participated in the

community forestry program that

included the users of the irrigation

system and other households from

adjoining area. Following the

community forestry program, the

available water supply at the source has

become more dependable and the

frequency of landslide and damage to

the main canal in the upstream area

has reduced.

Registered

WUA

formed in

1984

6. Khaurawa-Hadha

Irrigation System

Ward No. 6 of

Madanpokhara VDC

in Palpa District

Initiated in

1995 and

completed in

2000

No external support

except small

amount of support

from District

Agricultural

Development Office

60 out of 98 water users are member of

Udyamshil Krishak Multipurpose

Cooperative Ltd. This cooperative was

started by 25 women members who

started a credit and saving cooperative

in the beginning. This cooperative is

now involved in the supply of seeds and

Unregistered

WUA



16

fertilizer and plant protection chemical

besides supplying daily necessities to

the people in the area at reasonable

cost.

20 water users are member of

Multipurpose Agricultural Cooperative

Ltd. This cooperative is involved in the

marketing of vegetables grown in the

area. The daily transaction made by this

cooperative is Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 100,000

per day. Many water users are members of

Madanpokhara Community FM Radio

(106.0 MHz). This radio station has been

instrumental in awareness building and

disseminating pertinent information on

agricultural technology and improved

agricultural practices. The radio station

broadcasts the price of vegetables in the

local market of Tansen and in other

parts of the country two times a day, in

the morning and evening, based on

which the farmers in the area make

decisions relating to marketing their

produce.

7. Palung Khola Irrigation

System

27 ha Dhusa and

Tyang villages inChisti VDC in

Baglung District.

Initiated in

1988 and laterexpanded and

improved in

1989 under

ILO support

Support of ILO

under DhaulagiriIrrigation

Development

Project (DIDP)

WUA installed a water mill in the canal

in 1995 with equipments for grainmilling and oil expelling. The installation

of the mill greatly reduced the travel

time and drudgery of the villagers to

reach to grain mills outside the village.

The operation of the mill has been

leased out to a local entrepreneur for

Rs. 6,000 per annum.

Registered

WUAformed in

1989



17

In 2005, the WUA installed a micro-

hydropower system to generate 10KW

of electricity. The cost of development

of the system was mobilized from

among the users by raising cash @ Rs.

10,000 per household from 34

households. Each household is entitled

to using 80 Watts of electricity for which

they pay Rs. 60 per month as electricity

tariff. One year later the WUA started

selling electricity to other 48 householdsin adjoining Phoksing village where each

household is entitled to using 60 Watt of

electricity. The amount collected form

electricity tariff is used to pay for the

watchman and operator of the

hydropower plant and also towards the

maintenance and upkeep of the

hydropower system, water mill and the

irrigation canal.



18

3.4.4 Limitations of the Case Study

One of the important limitations of the case study has been that all the systems included in the case

study represented success cases of the multifunctional WUAs. While their comparison provides good

insights to look into the processes that could lead to WUAs accepting multiple roles, these do not

however provide any clue to the processes that could impede the evolution of multifunctional WUAs.

This analysis would have been possible with the inclusion of cases presenting instances of failure in the

evolution of multifunctional WUAs or multiple engagements of the WUAs producing negative

consequences in the operation and management of the irrigation system. Another limitation has been

relating to geographic and agro-ecological representation of the irrigation system. Most of the irrigation

systems were from the hills and hill river valleys, except one that was from Terai (Baise Kulo). Also, most

of the irrigation systems were FMISs and that none of them included AMISs or those that have been

management transferred from agency management to farmers’ management emerging from

participatory irrigation management policy of the government.

4. Key Findings

4.1 Experiences with Multifunctional WUAs in Nepal and Elsewhere

In the study undertaken the experiences with the evolution and engagement of multifunctional WUAs in

the irrigation systems in Nepal and in other parts of the world were synthesized based on review of

relevant literatures and case studies carried out in Nepal and in other countries in the region. The keyfindings based on the study have been as stated hereunder:

i. The recent trend is that WUAs are taking up, besides irrigation and water management, other

activities that relate directly to enhancing the productivity and income opportunities in irrigated

agriculture. These activities relate to the needs of the water users for other services. As

irrigation users are engaged in many activities, in the farming as well as for domestic work, to

diversity the opportunities for themselves and to have a secured and enjoyable living in the

community, irrigation and water management are not always the only problems for them. The

farming activities need the engagement of WUAs in many other services, such as supply of farm

inputs and credits, transportation and marketing of products, processing of the agricultural

produce, settling of disputes among themselves and receiving services and assistance from

outside agencies.

Farmers are also engaged in other economic activities, social undertakings and cultural affairs.

These functions and activities are of minor concern. Attention is to be given on agriculture

services in order to have farmers’ needs fulfilled. Many activities in the agricultural are done

individually by the farm family. Other activities need joint actions of farmers to receive the

desired and satisfactory results. One of the services is water supply to the farm land. It needs

cooperation with other water users, joint actions for O&M as well as for small repair works.



19

Other functions and activities may be taken up by the WUAs because there is need for such

services to the members. This can be due to poor access to services, cost effectiveness of the

delivery of services and lower cost to the members. The need for multifunction organization is

due to institutional vacuum, increase in the viability and profitability, need of leverage,credibility and legitimacy and the limited managerial capacity in the village.

ii. Examples of multifunctional WUAs come from many Asian and African Countries. The evolution

of multifunctional WUAs is often contextual. Evolution of the WUAs engaged in multiple roles in

irrigated agriculture is often observed in those contexts where support services rendered by the

formal government institutions or private sectors are weak. In such areas, demand for

agricultural inputs and technology encourages WUAs accepting more diversified roles. Some

researchers tend to link the multifunctional role of WUAs to the financial needs and thereby

increased investment capacity for regular operation and management. Traditionally, the FMISs

in Nepal did not have large needs for cash. They did mobilize the resources for the operation

and management and upkeep of the system both in kind and labor. Office bearers andfunctionaries, such as water guards, might be remunerated in terms of quantity of grain or labor

exemption for maintenance. Traditionally resource mobilization in FMISs meant mobilization of

needed labor force from among the member households, to repair the diversion structure after

a flood and to remove sediments from channels. Contrarily, in the large complex systems, such

as those in lift irrigation systems that involve electromechanical equipments for water pumping,

the need for mobilizing greater level of cash arises to be able to fund the regular and periodic

repair and maintenance. This situation may lead to WUA accepting more diversified roles for

mobilizing funds from among the users. Also, in those FMISs where the influences of the market

forces have been stronger, the trend of users making cash contribution and seeking labor

exemption from regular and emergency repair and maintenance has been an emerging trend

(Shukla and Sharma, 1997). The WUAs in such systems have started involving paid workers,

either from within the system or from outside, in accomplishing the tasks of maintenance and

upkeep of the systems. The transactions in cash, in the forms of cash contribution made by the

users and the need for involving paid labors in annual and emergency repair and maintenance,

has added new challenge in the functioning of FMISs which have traditionally been handling and

equating the access to irrigation in terms of labor contribution by the users themselves. This

new trend has forced the WUAs to become more innovative and also diversify their operation

and management tasks and the practices of management.

iii. In Vietnam Agriculture Cooperative is also made responsible for irrigation management and

water distribution and delivering operation and management functions in the irrigation systems.

An Agriculture Cooperative undertakes multiple functions, such as, operation and management

of irrigation infrastructures, negotiation with River Basin authority for allocation of water to theirrigation systems, agriculture input supply to the farmers, rice mill operation and distribution of

fertilizer and other inputs to the farmers. On the other hand, such activities are also undertaken

by private entrepreneurs, thus the farmers have option of procuring the inputs from agricultural

cooperatives or from private entrepreneurs and suppliers (Abernethy, 1998). With the

engagement of agricultural cooperatives in the input supply alongside of the private

entrepreneurs, this reduces the likely situation of entrepreneurs monopolizing the market

and/or creating scarcity of inputs.

Sri Lanka has program to make WUA as multi-function organization. Instead of WUA, they have

given name as Farmers Organization and tie in the Farmers’ Organization for increasing



20

agriculture production for consumption within the country and, at the same time, these farmers

organizations have to be capable to interact with the environment brought by the globalization

of the economy (Batuwitage, 1999).

Taiwan has tradition of more effective WUAs. WUAs have succeeded attaining technical and

economic viability. The agricultural extension and technology dissemination activities are

delivered through the WUAs. Secondly, WUAs undertake business activities like operation of the

Farmers’ Bank. Farmers have confidence with the co-workers so they deposit their savings in

Farmers Bank. The WUAs in Taiwan have been politically powerful because they have

accumulated enough deposit in the bank. They even channel their deposit for the investment in

the industries (Pradhan, 1998).

China has developed the system of WUA made responsible for the collection of water charge

with the collected money/ resources used towards O&M of the system. There is no provision of

government subsidy in operation and management of irrigation systems in China. In order tomobilize more resources for the operation and management of the system, WUA is allowed to

look for number of alternatives for resource mobilization. These are allowed even to undertake

small enterprises for the resource mobilization in order to fund the operation and maintenance

and modernization of the irrigation systems. Multiple activities would include the establishment

of tea shops on the bank of the canals and opening of the area under the irrigation system for

recreation and entertainment. In case of reservoir backed irrigation systems, the reservoir used

for recreation and fishing. The clay removed from the canal is sold for brick making or similar

purposes to be able to generate financial resources from within the system (Reidinger, 2001).

iii. The WUAs in Nepal and in many other countries, even to this date, are considered as non-

entity. They are not considered as the social and organizational resource at the grass root level.

It is equally important to consider the environment that allows them to undertake multifunction

activities. On many occasions, WUAs are formed at the occasion of construction and

rehabilitation/modernization of the irrigation systems. After rehabilitation, the importance of

WUA gradually diminishes. The importance of WUA as viable socio-economic organization and

their potential role in the development of irrigated agricultural system is yet to be recognized in

Nepal and in many parts of the world.

iv. There are authors who take more critical view on multifunctional roles of WUAs for the fear that

multifunctional engagements might dilute the efforts of the WUAs in the water services in the

irrigation systems. For example, Frederickson and Vissia (1998) warn against the multifunctional

activities of irrigators organizations. Their view on multi-functional organizations is “the function

and skills required for operation and maintenance of water sector services are quite straightforward and quite different from the commercial activities that could earn funds of any

consequence. One does not find long established, successful water service entities engaged in

activities unrelated to their water sector services".

4.2 Policy Reviews

The review of the policies carried out in the course of this study included the review of National Water

Resources Strategy (2002); National Water Plan (2003); Irrigation Development Policy (2003) and

Agricultural Perspective Plan (1995). Besides the review of these sectoral policy documents the



21

approach to development in periodic Five Year Development Plans were also reviewed in order to

analyze the continuum of policy prescription/reforms relating to irrigation, agriculture and cooperative

development in Nepal in the context of creating environment for the evolution and fostering of

multifunctional WUAs. The key findings resulting from the policy reviews have been as under:

i. The Irrigation Policy (2003) recognizes the WUAs as functional entity and viable social

organization and envisages the involvement of WUAs at all stages of irrigation development

and in the operation and management of irrigation infrastructures and services in the post

construction phase. However, outside the domain of irrigation infrastructure and services,

the role of WUA is been virtually non-existent. These are not recognized as the

organizational resource at grass root level. On many occasions the WUAs are formed only to

undertake the rehabilitation and improvement of irrigation infrastructures or to facilitate in

the transfer the management responsibilities from the irrigation agency to organized groups

of users. This situation impedes the processes for the WUA to diversify its activities and

undertake multifunctional roles in the irrigated areas.ii. The Water Resources Act (1993) states that ultimate ownership of all the water resources in

the country is vested to the state and the state grants only usufruct right to any form of

water use from the surface as well as groundwater sources. The act also lays out the statute

for licensing or registration to acquire usufruct right. As of now two approaches to

registration of WUAs are in practice. These are either registered as Association Registration

Act (1978) or with the District Water Resources Committee under Water Resources Act

(1993). The registration of the WUAs under Water Resources Act recognizes them only in

the context of irrigation services and the act, in any way, does not lay down the provisions

for the diversification of the activities of the WUA beyond operation and management of

the irrigation infrastructures and services.

An inventory of WUAs in the country developed by Department of Irrigation (DOI)

recognizes existence of 796 registered WUAs in farmer and agency developed irrigation

schemes in the country. A large number of WUAs which are not registered are not even

recognized by the state for their existence. A national level federation of irrigation water

users’- called National Federation of Irrigation Water Users’ Association (NIFWAN) has been

constituted at the national level. Again the bulk of WUAs who have obtained membership in

NIFWAN are only those which are duly registered under Water Resources Act or Association

Registration Act.

iii. The Decentralization Act (1999) contradicts with the Water Resources Act in terms of

recognizing the WUAs and their roles in water management at the local level. The

Decentralization Act recognizes the role of Village Development Committees (VDC),

Municipalities and District Development Committees (DDCs) in managing the water

resources at the local level.iv. The Department of Agriculture does not recognize the existence of WUAs. They form

separate commodity groups and the delivery of agricultural extension and other support

services are provided through such groups. Even under Second Sector Irrigation Project

where provisions were made for agricultural development in the irrigated areas and the

budget was allocated in the project for this purpose, the agriculture extension activities

were undertaken through the farmers group formation, not through WUAs which were

formed at the time of rehabilitation of the FMISs under the project. So WUAs were forced to

confine with their roles limited to the operation and management of irrigation

infrastructure alone.



22

4.3 Process Documentation in Three FMISs under CMIASP

The process documenters engaged in the study at each of the three systems included for process

documentation study carried out systematic documentation of the events and processes in the course of

undertaking of rehabilitation and improvement of physical infrastructures, agricultural support services

and livelihood improvement activities from November, 2009 to November, 2010. The chronological

records of events and processes relating to envisaged improvements under CMIASP and their

significance in the context of each system are presented in Annex- I (Tanting-Kalikoshi Irrigation System

in Jhapa District), Annex- II (Ikudha Irrigation System in Lalitpur District) and Annex-III (Sikharkateri

Irrigation System in Kavrepalanchok District). The observations relating to progress and achievements of

envisaged improvements under CMIASP based on the documentation of the events and processes in the

three systems in the stated period have been as under:

i. The emphasis of CMIASP as well as WUA has been on speedy accomplishment of theconstruction works so that all the works could be completed within the stipulated time period.

The WUAs in all the three systems seemed more concerned about the completion of the

construction works of the intake so that water could be distributed to the users in the

forthcoming dry season. The users in the three systems seem to be valuing the improvement of

the physical infrastructures as the most tangible gain resulting from the investment made under

CMIASP.

ii. The WUAs in all the three systems have been conscious of the quality of the construction works.

It has been this consciousness for the construction quality that the WUAs in the three systems

have developed their own institutional arrangement system of monitoring and supervision of

the construction works. The institutional arrangement and system of monitoring and

supervision of construction works seem very strong and formal in Tanting Irrigation System inJhapa where a separate monitoring and supervision committee has been developed with

defined roles and responsibilities of the members. This instrument looks more informal in Iku

Dha Irrigation system in Lalitpur where WUA has not been able to develop separate entity

within WUA for monitoring and supervision of the construction quality. In Sikharkateri, though

the WUA has constituted a separate committee for monitoring and supervision of the

construction work, the frequency of monitoring has not been on a daily basis. However, the

action of the WUA has been prompt and consistent in raising concerns emerging from poor

construction quality at the intake with the Irrigation Division Office which has been responsible

for designing and executing the physical infrastructure improvement works.

iii. A very interesting element of the monitoring and supervision efforts made in the system has

been time spent of the members of the monitoring committee and key personnel of the WUA

on monitoring and supervision of the construction works in the three systems. If the time spent

is translated in terms of transaction cost involved, this will come out to be significant investment

made by the users and their WUA in ensuring quality construction works. The users in the

system seem to be adequately convinced that the return resulting from physical improvement

of infrastructures would be much higher in comparison to their time investment, both at the

level of the community and also at the household level.

iv. In all the three systems, the Irrigation Division Offices concerned with the system conducted a

training program on management of the construction and construction quality soon after

employing the contractors. This training has been instrumental in motivating the WUA

functionaries in the three systems to develop instruments for regular monitoring of the

construction work. This training conducted by the project also empowered them to undertake



23

the task.

v. The activities relating to capacity building of WUA in all the three irrigation systems, envisaged

under CMIASP, have been limited to leadership training and training programs on operation and

management of the irrigation system and the management of construction works and qualitycontrol. In all the three systems most of the physical construction works are nearing completion.

The intake structure in Tanting-Kalikhoshi and Ikudha Irrigation System is complete and the

construction works are now focused to lining of the main canal. In Sikharkateri, the speed of

construction of the intake structure was delayed initially due to the delays in appointing the

contractor and due to non-performing site supervisor after the commencement of the works.

Even with these early delays the construction of the intake, which was expected to take longer

time than those planned in other parts of the system, is now nearing completion. This would

mean that the envisaged physical infrastructure works would be over by March-April, 2011.

Upon completion of the physical infrastructure improvement works, this would be the

responsibility of the WUA to ensure effective operation and management and maintenance and

upkeep of the system. It would be therefore highly desirable that efforts get started incapacitating the WUAs to deliver the operation and management services in the system

effectively. It would highly desirable at this stage that the concerned Irrigation Division Offices

start conducting training programs on canal operation, management and upkeep of physical

infrastructures and resource mobilization. Bringing the water users and the WUA functionaries

to the irrigation systems demonstrating successful model of resource mobilization in the post

construction phase would be another alternative to sensitize them on the importance of these

activities to attain satisfactory operation of the system and attaining higher level of

performance gain from the investment made.

vi. It was noted that the WUAs in the three systems do not have office space of their own. In the

absence of the office space, the record keeping of the WUA gets scattered and also the WUA

functionaries face increasing constraints in organizing regular meeting. Investment from the side

of CMIASP in developing office space of the WIUA would be desirable at this stage. This would

provide the WUAs more formal position in the system. This may also create environment for the

WUAs to start diversifying their activities beyond operation and management of the irrigation

system and getting linked to other institutions and development organization.

vii. The activities relating to dissemination of pertinent agricultural technology and knowledge

seems stronger and on a more regular basis in Tanting Irrigation System followed by Sikharkateri

Irrigation System. There have been no such activities in Iku Dha Irrigation System to date. The

FFS (Farmers’ Field School) approach to agricultural technology dissemination and enhancing

the capacity of the users to on-farm water management has not been started in any of the three

irrigation systems.

In Tanting Irrigation System, the command area of the irrigation system has been divided into

seven blocks with block level committee constituted in each block as second tier of organizationof WUA. One representative from each block is elected to represent in the main committee. The

block committees are responsible for operation and management of the system and delivery of

the irrigation services at the block level. In each block the Block Level Agricultural Committee

has also been constituted which functions as sub-committee of the Block level committee. The

agricultural committees at the block level have been instrumental in linking the irrigation service

delivery with the agricultural activities and also in disseminating the information relating to

improved agricultural technology and practices among the farmers. This has been the

institutional mechanisms devised in Tanting that establishes functional links between

agricultural production activities and irrigation service delivery. The functioning of the block

level agricultural committees have similarity, at least in terms of roles and functioning, with the



24

production groups created under agricultural production programs started constituted under

production promotion programs of DOA. This institutional arrangement in Tanting has already

started producing some good results, such as, initiative of saving and credit program started in

each block. There is possibility of replicating this institutional arrangement to other irrigationsystems undergoing improvement under CMIASP.

viii. It would not be possible at this stage to make any projection with regards to the changes in the

cropping system or increase in the crop productivity that would be possible with the investment

made in the improvement of the physical infrastructures and agricultural promotion activities in

the three systems. At this stage the farmers have started experiencing improved quantity and

dependability of irrigation service delivery resulting from improvements in the physical

infrastructures accomplished in the three systems. They would now start experimenting with

different cropping system and input management practices and eventually the most

remunerative cropping system and input management practices would be adopted by them.

Therefore, a lag time is obvious between completion of the physical infrastructure improvementworks and the innovations in the agricultural system and practices leading to transformation in

the irrigated agriculture. At this stage support services of the agencies responsible for the

dissemination of agricultural technology would be valuable for the farmers in making informed

decisions at the farm level.

The three irrigation systems where process documentation was carried out have three different focuses

on the promotion of agricultural practices and technologies. In Tanting Irrigation System, the focus is on

diversified cropping with emphasis on cereals, pulses and oilseeds. Thought the farmers in the area have

also increased the area under vegetable crops, they seem to give higher value to cereals, pulses andoilseeds due to assured market for these products. In Ikudha Irrigation System, the expansion of the

irrigated area would be much lower resulting from the improvement of the irrigation infrastructures

achieved under CMIASP. The improvement expected is rather in terms of increased dependability of

irrigation delivery with the reduction of leakage and losses in the system and reduced labor needs in

annual and emergency repair and maintenance of the system. Ikudha irrigation system being closed to

Kathmandu has very high potential for commercial crops, such as, vegetables and ornamental

horticulture. In Sikhar Kateri Irrigation System irrigation water is used essentially for the production of

vegetables and potato in winter and spring. Improved connectivity of the area with the construction of

road from Banepa is expected to further enhance the opportunity of market for the vegetables. This

area has inherent potential to be developed as vegetable production zone and the farmers have beenmaking consistent efforts to achieve this.

4.4 Case Study of Self Evolving Multifunctional WUAs



25

The general findings based on the analysis of the processes and pattern of evolution of multifunctional

WUAs in the 7 case systems are as under:

i. Study revealed that in general there exists, three modes of multifunctional roles in the WUAs :

1. Multifunctional roles resulting from multiple water use from the same water source. These

included such multiple water uses as, irrigation, hydropower (water mill and micro-

hydroelectric system), non-conventional irrigation technologies (drip, sprinkler, runoff

ponds and surface and groundwater lift).

2. Multifunctional roles resulting from additional activities relating to enhanced income

opportunities and livelihood diversification. These include such activities as input supply and

marketing of agricultural produce, credit and saving cooperative, rural infrastructure

development, education and health services.

3. Multifunctional roles resulting from enhanced roles of WUAs in natural resources

management and conservation of watershed based resources.

ii. The process of WUA entering into multifunctional roles was found to be supported by increased

income opportunities of the farmers due to crop diversification and agricultural productivity

enhancement. This increases the investment capacity of the users and also of WUAs to

endeavor into other activities. This process is also supported by increased needs for products

and technology diversification, need for the increased access to the market and access to

information and technology.

iii. The WUAs entering into multiple roles is usually noticed in those areas which are either

inaccessible or where linkages to the market or support services are not strong. This is apparent

from the cases of Puranchaur in Kaski District and Hamsambhe Nimu Khola Multipurpose

Irrigation System in Panchthar District. The WUAs, by entering into multiple roles in these

situations develops a mechanism to link the irrigation system to market and increased access to

support services provided by different agencies.

iv. Diversification of the activities of the WUAs also diversifies the sources of income and enhances

the capabilities of the WUAs to invest into maintenance and upkeep of the irrigation

infrastructure and services. Thus, multifunctional roles of the WUAs seem to be contributing

positively to the sustainability of the irrigation system.

v. The WUAs in the irrigated areas constitute enormous social capital. This potential of WUAs is

largely unexplored. They have inherent potential to be transformed into farmers’ cooperatives

in the irrigated areas with multiple roles.



26

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