Modernization of farmer-managed irrigation systems in Nepal

R.P.Bhandari & D.R.Pokharel

Since time immemorial, farmer-managed irrigation systems have played a major role in the irrigated agriculture of Nepal. Before 1951, there were only three state-run or agency-managed irrigation systems in the country. The planned irrigation development in the country, with the establishment of a state agency (the present Department of Irrigation), began only after 1951. At first, a lot of interventions were made in the farmer-managed irrigation systems under the banner of modernization and some new irrigation schemes were taken up. The mode of intervention was to take over the selected irrigation systems from farmers' management and treat them as new schemes, thus keeping farmers completely aloof. All of the capital cost was borne by the agency and segregation occurred between the farmers and the agency. Original farmer-managed irrigation systems became the agency-managed irrigation systems. Even after the planned involvement of the state in irrigation development, the irrigation development status is still led by farmer-managed irrigation systems. Another reality is that the present irrigated area is merely 30 percent of the total irrigable area.

The farmer-managed irrigation systems were built, operated and maintained by the farmers themselves with little or no help from state or outside agencies. They contribute substantially to the agricultural production of the country, have been managed well and, in general, give better yields. Usually, their infrastructure is simple and lacks provision for water control and management. In other words, they run on the tradition of self-help. The agency-managed irrigation systems, on the other hand, in spite of their recurrently increasing operation and maintenance costs, have not improved their performance. When they were taken over by the state, the old irrigation systems were thought to have much potential for increased performance, as they were rudimentary, lacked permanent structures, were susceptible to damage during floods and to silt problems and had high water losses. In consequence, farmers had to contribute much labour and resources to run these systems. This led the government to rethink its irrigation strategy. By the mid-1980s the government became aware of the importance and strengths of the farmer-managed irrigation systems for the country's agriculture. There was also recognition of the scope for improving the systems through their rehabilitation and the extension of irrigated area, which would be possible by minimizing water losses and improving management efficiency. Besides, the operation and management requirements (labour and cash) could also be reduced to a manageable level. With this realization the strategy on irrigation development shifted to the participatory approach. With the aim of streamlining government's efforts and investment in a sectoral approach, two specific projects, namely the World Bank/IDA loan-funded Irrigation Line of Credit (ILC) and the Asian Development Bank loan-funded Irrigation Sector Project, have been implemented. UNDP provided the technical assistance for both projects.[Continue reading at http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x6626e/x66… ]