Factors and impact of participation on the operation and maintenance of an irrigation system in Nepal : A case study of the babai irrigation project

Gyawali Ravi. 2009. Factors and impact of participation on the operation and maintenance of an irrigation system in Nepal : A case study of the babai irrigation project. Bangkok : AIT, 99 p. Mémoire MSc : Natural resources management : Asian Institute of Technology

Résumé : The operation and management of irrigation systems is an important concern in Nepal. In this context, the level of participation of the farmers and the factors influencing become very crucial. The overall goal of this research was to identify and evaluate motives, factors, constraints and opportunities for farmer to participate in the management of irrigation schemes, in order to suggest recommendations for improving efficiency of farmermanaged irrigation systems. This research was conducted in Babai irrigation system from Western plain area of Nepal. It covered only the right part of the irrigation systems which managed by farmers. Qualitative as well as quantitative data were collected using in-depth interview, focus group discussion and the structured questionnaire with randomly selected 134 households in the irrigation system. The study revealed that huge number of the sampled household¿s dependents on agriculture in term of employment. The cropping intensity was not significantly different across different parts of the irrigation system; whereas it differed across different farm size. The result showed that the productivity of major crops (Paddy, wheat, maize and mustard) was significantly higher in Type-I farmer (full-time farmers) compared to others. Similarly, significantly higher level of paddy productivity was found in head-end area of the irrigation system; and with higher farm size. The economic efficiency measured in terms of gross and net income was higher in head-end area, Type-I farmer and with large farm size. The principal component analysis carried out to identify essential interrelationships of various factors influencing farmers¿ participation in irrigation management. The result showed that the response of operational activities for acquisition of water was significantly higher in head-end area of the system. Similarly, the satisfaction level was significantly higher in the head-end in case of the allocation of water among branches and the distribution of water. But in terms of the application of water the satisfaction level was significantly higher in the middle of the system. People from the Babai Irrigation system were found to be usually participating in different community activities. In case of construction and development activities the highest degree of participation was observed in case of farmers with medium farm size whereas in case of social campaign the farmers from large farm size were found having higher level of participation. Based on the findings, we can suggest that farmers¿ participation in operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems can be boosted by increasing their involvement in decision making process of the operation and maintenance activities. Farmer participation seems to be crucial for improvement of irrigation water management and agriculture production. Analysis describes that availability, reliability, adequacy and equitability of water are fundamental factors to ensure effective and successful beneficiary¿s participation in farmer managed irrigation system.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : irrigation

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Népal

Classification Agris : F06 - Irrigation
P10 - Ressources en eau et leur gestion

Auteurs et affiliations

• Gyawali Ravi, AIT (THA)

Source : Cirad - Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/549841/)

Métriques

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