Agro-ecology and irrigation technology : comparative research on farmer-managed irrigation systems in the Mid-hills of Nepal

Design and management of irrigation infrastructure in farmer managed irrigation systems (FMISs) are strongly influenced by social and agro-ecological conditions of an area. This thesis analyzes the elements of social and agro-ecological conditions in FMISs in the mid-hills of Nepal and examines their relationships with irrigation infrastructure, especially water division structures. Of the various types of water division structures, this thesis concentrates mainly on the proportioning weir, which is a fixed control type of structure.This thesis suggests that in an irrigation system, hydraulic, agro-ecological and socio-cultural conditions determine the choice of water division structures, which in turn shape the irrigation management functions and local organization's primary objective. As the current approach to irrigation development and management considers farmers as the major actor in both turnover of agency-built irrigation system and rehabilitation of FMISs, understanding of these conditions shaping irrigation infrastructure is vital for further developing them in close partnership with local community. Failure to recognize these conditions, while further developing them, can erode the existing management practices and the current and potential contribution of irrigation to local livelihoods.