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This paper presents a novel approach that integrates participatory methods and a rapid appraisal process to identify constraints and select potentially innovative solutions aimed at improving water and energy use efficiency at different levels in collective irrigation systems. First, a set of quantitative performance indicators is calculated, allowing the identification of the main problems. The study then adopts a bottom-up approach and emphasizes the need for active involvement of stakeholders from different backgrounds to identify potential opportunities to improve the sustainability of the collective irrigation system. From this collaborative and integrative approach, an innovation basket is developed, that includes a variety of techniques, technologies and management practices tailored to the specific challenges of the Lucefecit Collective Irrigation System. The results show that high-energy consumption is the main problem, with high values for energy consumption per hectare (2919.9 kWh) and per m3 of water delivered at the hydrants (0.43 kWh). Another problem is the lack of support for farmers in irrigation scheduling, which leads to large variations in irrigation water productivity across farms. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the participatory approach and the feasibility of implementing innovative solutions in collective irrigation systems.

In order to assess the potential, farmers satisfaction, and operation and maintenance issues of selected small scale irrigation schemes in Salale Zone Ethiopia, the study was designed with key objectives of evaluating the current status of irrigation water productivity of the schemes; irrigation water users satisfaction, and structures, function, and power of water users association in sustainable operation and maintenance of irrigation schemes. Structured questionnaires focus group discussion, and key informant interview was employed to collect data for each considered irrigation schemes and the data was analyzed by using SPSS and descriptive statistics. The result overall revealed that there was low water productivity of the schemes when it was compared with acceptable limit values. In each considered irrigation scheme, irrigation water users were not satisfied in operation and maintenance of irrigation schemes and less satisfied in fair distribution of water and timeline of water distribution; but fairly satisfied in fee policy. From the perspectives of roles of irrigation water users in leadership, resource mobilization, infrastructure management, equity in water distribution, and conflict management; there was a gap in effectively performing all such activities so that the overall productivity of schemes becomes very low. In general, the research indicated that there was a problem in improving water productivity, farmers’ satisfaction, role of irrigation water users in management, operation, and maintenance of schemes which need due consideration to sustain small scale irrigation schemes so that it will play the intended roles in attaining food security

The pressure on freshwater resources is leading to diminishing flows in some of the critical river systems across the globe. India is no exception, and this is mainly because of water withdrawal for irrigation, which is often to the tune of 70% to 80% of the lean season flows, with some proportion for domestic and industrial use. While graduating from the concept of environmental flows and its assessment methodologies in India, the water-managers, the researchers and the conservationists are now moving towards answering the next question, if the rivers are to be revived, where will the water come from, especially in the case of over-allocated rivers, including the River Ganga. While the logical way is to look at the biggest user of water, i.e., irrigation, it remains to be seen whether the irrigation water savings will actually lead to enhancing flows in a river, complementing the efforts towards maintaining e-flows in rivers, or whether it will lead to more area under agriculture, bring changes in cropping patterns towards more water-intensive crops or result in something else. This is a growing debate across the globe, where India is no exception, and there has been a wide range of opinions in this regard. This paper discusses the process, findings and lessons from a joint initiative involving farmers, the Uttar Pradesh state Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Bijnor District Administration and a conservation organisation, WWF, to enhance flows in a sub-tributary, called the Karula River, which is part of the Ganga River system. Another objective of this paper is to look at the scalability and replicability of similar approaches in other irrigation command areas to benefit nearby river systems in general. Under this initiative, the team attempted to enhance flows in the river Karula by routing the saved water from irrigation supplies in a canal commanded area. This saving of water is being achieved due to supply-side and demand-side measures that are being adopted in the project area. With the objective of ensuring the sustainability of the initiative, efforts are made to form an institutional arrangement, through which this initiative can be sustained beyond the project support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

water user associations were established for the participation of farmers in water resources management. The purpose of this study is to explain the factors affecting the motivation of farmers’ participation in the Great Karun-Shushtar water user association in Khuzestan province. The study population was all Members of the Great Karoon water user association (N=671). 183 people were selected as the statistical sample using the Bartlett table and a random sampling method was used to collect data from farmers using the questionnaire. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts. The reliability of the main scales of the questionnaires’ was examined by Cronbach's alpha coefficients, which ranged from 0.77 to 0.92, indicating the tool of study is reliable. Data analyses were performed using SPSSv24 software. Pearson correlation was used to investigate the relationship between independent and dependent variables and Regression analysis with Inter method was used to explain the factors affecting farmers' participation in water user association. Results indicated a significant positive correlation between motivation and self-identity, social norm, social capital, collective efficiencies expectations, cues to action, perception of partnership, Self-efficacy, and attitude of farmers. The results also showed that the variables of self-identity, cues to action and social capital have effect on the variable of motivation. These variables are able to predict 43% of the variance of motivation. Finally, based on the findings of the research, suggestions were made to increase the incentive of farmers' participation in the water user association.

The purpose of this study is evaluate and compare technical efficiency of water users association by the approach of the stochastic frontier production function in Maragheh county. Accordingly, for scientific and real understanding of the performance of these associations, the efficiency of productive units is considered. In order to perform this study, the required data were collected through a questionnaire from 147 farmers of Maragheh County. To achieve the aim of this research, stochastic frontier production function was used in which farmers was a function of seed variables, nitrogen fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer and water. Results showed which average efficiency of producing in wheat fields of the sample is 78.9%. So on these farms with available inputs, there is an average of 21.1% chance to increasing the production. Based on the results, it is observed that in a stochastic frontier production function, nitrogen fertilizers,hosphate fertilizers, water and wheat seeds Variables have a significant effect on wheat production. Also Variables such as age, education, participation in extension courses, marriage and cultivating have a significant effect on technical efficiency. Between studied cases, Varjoy water users association, with average efficiency about 83.07%, has the highest technical efficiency. Therefore, participation in extension courses, adopting measures on land integration and benefiting from the experiences of successful Water Users Association will be an important step towards increasing the efficiency of the Water Users Association studied.

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper examines irrigation management within the Tunisian Water Users Association (WUA),in Nadhour public irrigated area (central of Tunisia). The functioning of 14 WUAs was evaluated based on questionnaires and related interviews. The methodology of this study consists of two main steps; (i) an estimation of technical efficiency scores of 90 smallholder farmers and the sub-vector of WUE (Water Use efficiency) using the non-parametric DEA model, (ii) a regression of a Tobit model to test the hypothesis regarding explanatory variables of differentiated technical efficiency scores. The investigation shows an average technical efficiency of 70.8% and WUE of 64.8%. It highlighted the Water turn, the infrastructure state, the water supply shortage, corruption, and free-riding behaviors as tightly correlated factors with farm’s productivity. This suggests that there is potential to improve production efficiency by implementing targeted programs and rules for inefficient farmers. The findings of this study show that it is important to fight corruption in the water sector by an increased government oversight, reform of regulations, and increased accountability

Copyright of Journal of Groundwater Hydrology is the property of Japanese Association of Groundwater Hydrology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents a novel approach that integrates participatory methods and a rapid appraisal process to identify constraints and select potentially innovative solutions aimed at improving water and energy use efficiency at different levels in collective irrigation systems. First, a set of quantitative performance indicators is calculated, allowing the identification of the main problems. The study then adopts a bottom-up approach and emphasizes the need for active involvement of stakeholders from different backgrounds to identify potential opportunities to improve the sustainability of the collective irrigation system. From this collaborative and integrative approach, an innovation basket is developed, that includes a variety of techniques, technologies and management practices tailored to the specific challenges of the Lucefecit Collective Irrigation System. The results show that high-energy consumption is the main problem, with high values for energy consumption per hectare (2919.9 kWh) and per m3 of water delivered at the hydrants (0.43 kWh). Another problem is the lack of support for farmers in irrigation scheduling, which leads to large variations in irrigation water productivity across farms. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the participatory approach and the feasibility of implementing innovative solutions in collective irrigation systems. • A novel approach was developed integrating participatory methods and a rapid appraisal process. • The study adopts a bottom-up approach and emphasizes the need for active involvement of stakeholders. • An innovation basket with tailored techniques, technologies and management practices was designed. • High energy consumption per ha and m3 of water delivered is the main issue at the collective system scale. • Lack of support to farmers hampers innovation adoption, causing high water productivity differences across farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is an urgent input in agriculture and its optimum consumption needs management and water users associations can be a tool for this intention. The purpose of the study was to identify the factors affecting the adoption of water users association with an emphasis on social capital. The study was quantitative in nature, applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive regarding the degree of variables control. All farmers around the project area of development and equipping of subsidiary irrigation and draining networks in Ramshir Township in Khuzestan Province (N = 382) formed the population of the study. The sample size was estimated according Cochran formula as 95 people, who were selected randomly as the sample of the study. Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose face and content validities were confirmed by experts and reliability of different parts of it by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The results indicated that more than 67% of the subjects studied are in the low and average levels of social capital index. Moreover, the existence of a relatively strong and direct correlation between social capital and the adoption of water user association was another result. Furthermore, social capital, participation in extension courses, and economic motivation were, respectively, the most effective factors in accepting water users association.

Abstract The present study was aimed at analyzing the barriers against wheat farmers' participation in the formation of water users association within the framework of a descriptive survey. The sample of this study included 375 wheat farmers in Dez irrigation system who were selected through random cluster sampling and were studied through a questionnaire. The reliability index of this questionnaire was estimated to be 0.89. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by the experts and scholars in the field. After the participants filled the questionnaires and the data were collected, the SPSS software package was used to analyze the data. In addition, the results of factor analysis related to the items of barriers led to the extraction of four barriers. These barriers, in order of importance, include the lack of proper infrastructures and economic facilities, social barriers, inadequate structural characteristics and lack of risk-taking, local organizations and lack of attention to extension activities that explain 60.78 percent of the variance of all the barriers.

Irrigation and drainage networks are having numerous problems in various stages such as design, implementation and utilization usually that reduce efficiency and destroy its structures. Also its reform and restructuring is difficult and unprofitable. This subject is main concern for water planners in the country and so far several activities for management of irrigation and drainage networks have been taken but most of these measures have not had significant success due to the lack of holistically. The main purpose of this study was to assess the irrigation and drainage networks performance (Gavoshan B2 unit (from the viewpoint of water user cooperatives in Kamyaran Township. To prepare the questionnaire, preliminary data were collected by PRA techniques and analysed using SWAT model and 12 point of strength, 10 weakness, 8 opportunity, 11 threats were ranked and 25 strategy have been presented. Findings showed that internal factors (strength and weakness points) had higher score weight than external factors (treatments and opportunities). Strength points with mean score weight of 3.97 had maximum and opportunities with mean score weight of 3.36 had minimum score. Score weight of strength points are more than score weight of weakness, that it shows its related Criteria has positive effect of on project. Also score weight of threats points are more than score weight of opportunity, that it shows its related Criteria has negative effect of on project. Hence, based on results is determined that diversification strategy should be considered as priority for optimization development of irrigation networks performance.

Rapid increasing population, overuse of existing aquifers and climatic changes, have all led to a growing global crisis in the management of water resources in agriculture. As custodians of agricultural water resources, farmers are key factors affecting the way the crisis is tackled and, consequently, encouraging good water management by farmers is a central issue for governments. One of the effective ways of doing so, is their participation to formation of water users’ associations )WUAs(. In this paper we propose that understanding of participation in water users’ associations requires increasing in our understanding of the development and deployment of social capital. As such, we examined the relationship between social capital and farmers’ intention toward establishment of and membership in Water User Associations in Aleshtar County. A sample of farmers (n= 360) was selected through a stratified random sampling method. Data collection in this study was conducted using a researcher-made questionnaire. After preparing the questionnaire and confirming its validity by experts, using a pilot study its reliability were confirmed by calculating Cronbach's alpha values ​​for the variables investigated. To examine the social factors influencing the willingness of farmers to form and join WUAs, the regression analysis using inter method was run. The findings revealed that three variables including involvement in local community activities, ‘thick’ trust, and tolerance of diversity are able to predict a significant proportion of the variation in farmers’ intention toward Water User Associations establishment (R2= 0.412). Further, four variables of inclusion in local community activities, ‘thick’ trust, local external communication, and civic participation are able to predict a significant proportion of the variation in farmers’ intention toward membership (R2= 0.51). Recommendations of how to increase the willingness of farmers to form Water User Associations and increase their participation are presented and discussed.

The current practice of water resources use in irrigated agriculture in the Republic of Azerbaijan has some specific features and causes problems in the management of irrigation systems of different levels, associated with the existing land use and cropping patterns in the country. This article substantiates the need to implement a system of measures for improving water resources management in irrigation aimed to prevent the further depletion of their reserves through modernization of irrigation-reclamation systems and improvement of agricultural practices. The article proposes principles for protection of water resources and measures to mitigate the aftereffects of intense irrigation under anticipated increase in the internal consumption of freshwater and a decrease in transboundary river inflow into the Republic of Azerbaijan in the context of increasing water intake in the countries in Kura-Aras basin and global climate changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, the 'revival' of seasonal lake-reservoirs (tanks) is part of decentralisation and participatory management reforms regarding surface water, whereby programmes to rehabilitate these centuries-old infrastructures have made mandatory the creation of formal water users associations (WUAs). In Tamil Nadu, South India, WUAs are created without even taking into account the existence of customary institutions’ ways of managing tanks, and thus the WUAs either run parallel to the latter, lead to their decline or ensure continuity with them. Conversely, in Puducherry’s tank rehabilitation project, customary institutions are purposely neglected in order to empower marginalised sections of the population. The aim of this article is to compare the impact of creating such a formal association on the decision-making process, taking as an example four formal associations. Whatever the project, its success or otherwise lies in the hands of the local elite – either socio-economic or the new political elite – while all committee members are affiliated to political parties. In such a context, we question the stakes behind being a member of a formal user association and, more specifically, how these associations impact water management, how knowledge about water is acquired – especially with regard to groundwater recharge – and how this vital resource is controlled.

Summary: Decentralization of irrigation management is claimed to improve performance by enhancing legitimacy and, thus, increasing cooperation. We test this hypothesis by collecting information about water users’ legitimacy perceptions and assessing the impact of these perceptions on irrigation charge payments and behavior in a framed field experiment. Our results show that legitimacy perceptions differ between communities and between water users association members and non-members but that these differences do not explain charge payments nor behavior in the irrigation treatment of the game. We conclude that decentralization may enhance legitimacy perceptions but that this does not necessarily increase cooperation in irrigation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catchment forums have to address the reality that river catchments typically cover several administrative districts and have overlapping arrangements of state-led and locally created institutions. Institutional nesting has been proposed to integrate local arrangements. However, the creation of a polycentric or nested governance system raises questions of coordination. This paper describes and analyzes the process of creating a catchment forum in the Kikuletwa catchment in Tanzania. Resolving the problem of administrative boundaries and institutional fit while integrating customary arrangements with the state-led governance structure requires careful analysis of local structures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In India, the 'revival' of seasonal lake-reservoirs (tanks) is part of decentralisation and participatory management reforms regarding surface water, whereby programmes to rehabilitate these centuries-old infrastructures have made mandatory the creation of formal water users associations (WUAs). In Tamil Nadu, South India, WUAs are created without even taking into account the existence of customary institutions' ways of managing tanks, and thus the WUAs either run parallel to the latter, lead to their decline or ensure continuity with them. Conversely, in Puducherry's tank rehabilitation project, customary institutions are purposely neglected in order to empower marginalised sections of the population. The aim of this article is to compare the impact of creating such a formal association on the decision-making process, taking as an example four formal associations. Whatever the project, its success or otherwise lies in the hands of the local elite - either socio-economic or the new political elite - while all committee members are affiliated to political parties. In such a context, we question the stakes behind being a member of a formal user association and, more specifically, how these associations impact water management, how knowledge about water is acquired - especially with regard to groundwater recharge - and how this vital resource is controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The division of Central Asia into several independent states, and the transition from the centrally planned economy to a market economy in the majority of those states, affected all sectors and all social levels in the region. One such example is irrigation. Centrally planned and financed from Moscow, on-farm irrigation systems were managed by collective farms. The process of decentralization through the dismantling of collective farms led to a restructuring of services and infrastruc-ture throughout Central Asia. Water users associations (WUAs) have been established to transfer on-farm irrigation management to farmers throughout the region, including Uzbekistan. Many women in Uzbekistan actively participate in farming activities, so their role in the on-farm irrigation restructuring process is important. Yet, the findings from this study suggest that participation of women is very limited in WUAs as very few women are registered as land owners. Because of high levels of migration by men to other countries, farm activities are mostly carried out by women. Despite this, women’s decision-making power within their farms is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: In many countries today, irrigation systems have been transferred to the water user associations (WUAs). Accordingly, it is believed that the performance of the irrigation systems is dependent on the performance of the WUAs. In this study, the performance of participatory irrigation management (PIM) over time is assessed with regard to the Kestel WUA serving a wide area of Turkey''s Aegean coast. Data relating to the WUA is obtained from both the State Hydraulic Works and WUAs’ own records. In addition, two surveys have been carried out with the members of the WUA with an 8-year interval between them. Data have been analyzed within the framework of selected irrigation performance criteria and indicators. The non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the perceptions of the farmers on the WUA at different survey periods. A Logit model was estimated to evaluate the relationship between the irrigation problems and the level of satisfaction from the WUA. The performance of the WUA with the indicators of utility, productivity, sustainability and financial efficiency was found to be positive; while the performance of adequacy was identified as poor. The farmers were generally satisfied of the WUA''s operation, with their level of satisfaction improving over time. On the other hand, the farmers were not fully convinced that they had input with the system management. The initial design of the channel system and its maintenance were identified to be the key factors affecting user satisfaction. Overall, the Kestel WUA may be considered a successful example, thus supporting a promising future for PIM. Yet improved control and farmer education is needed for a superior performance of all indicators; and further enhanced farmer participation in management should be achieved in order to raise the level of farmer satisfaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article examines irrigation management conduct within Japanese Water Users Associations (WUAs), named Land Improvement Districts (LID), which are regarded as a successful case of Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM). The authors conducted field and questionnaire surveys in sample LIDs focusing on the social function of LID and village communities. Among many factors, the authors paid special attention on how fairness contributes to the sustainability of WUAs. The results of the surveys proved that farmers operate the irrigation facilities in a self-serving way and have their own rule of fairness, such as upstream superiority, based on the long-term traditional experiences of irrigation systems management. The result of questionnaire survey proved that farmers do place high priority in fairness in various ways. The application of fairness to irrigation management is quite new and it is worthwhile to try this approach in other country''s case studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to implement Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) according to good practice, governments and development agencies have promoted the setting-up of Water Users Associations (WUAs) as a broadly applicable model for water management at the local level. WUAs are promoted as key to the rolling out of IWRM principles through a participative process. Using intensive qualitative data, this paper discusses Tanzanian WUAs in light of the Regulatory Framework within which they operate. I argue that although the government's objectives are to achieve an equitable and sustainable allocation of water resources, the formalisation of water allocation has led to the exclusion of specific water users. This paper focuses on the Great Ruaha River Catchment (GRRC), where water scarcity has led to competition between investors and small-scale water users. The GRRC is an environment in which formal and informal practices overlap, due to legal pluralism and the incremental implementation of water governance frameworks. This study calls for a reassessment of the role of WUAs in Tanzania. There is a clear gap between the theoretical clarity of tasks handed to WUAs (particularly their role in formalising access to water), and the messiness of everyday practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of water governance and societal perception in large, public irrigation systems in developing countries has triggered successive waves of reforms since the 1980s. Among them are Participatory Irrigation Management, Irrigation Management Transfer, Public-Private Partnerships or Market Instruments. Reforms have generalized the implementation of Water Users Associations (WUAs) in continuous interaction with a public Irrigation Agency. This paper set out to review recurrent problems and reported solutions in the governance of irrigated areas in developing countries and to relate solutions to problems in a case study context. The combination of literature review and the experience of the authors permitted identification and characterization of eight problems and eight solutions. A semi-quantitative approach was designed to relate solutions to problems in case study WUAs. The approach is based on the definition of a generic problem-solution matrix and a WUA-specific problem vector. The solution vector indicates the adequacy of each solution to a case study WUA. It can be obtained by multiplying the problem vector with the problem-solution matrix. Application of this approach to seven case study WUAs demonstrated its potential. Local fine-tuning of the coefficients defining the problem-solution matrix seems required to draw conclusions effectively guiding decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]