Pilot programme for strengthening WUAs. Final report of "Guidelines for Good Governance" DFID KaR R8023
Abstract
This report describes the background to and the process adopted for strengthening WUAs in this project. Although a huge effort has been put into transferring management of parts of irrigation systems to the users, there are still significant problems particularly in encouraging participation in agency-managed projects. Irrigation Management Transfer has been part of government policy in Nepal as it has been in many other countries for over a decade now, but satisfactory methods have still to be identified.
Following on from a rapid review of irrigation management on about 20 projects in Nepal, and a smaller number in China (Part 2A of this report), we have attempted to develop and field test an improved method. This method aims to use a participatory process of institutional strengthening, in order to change attitudes, promote a sense of ownership and develop the skills needed to manage the system.
There were two main stages to the process:
• Participatory studies to understand the system and engage the stakeholders in the process of institutional development - this phase was referred to as diagnostic learning and action planning (DL/AP); and
• Water Users' Schools (WUS) to build the skills, awareness and understanding to manage the system, and through this to develop the social capital needed to sustain this management Project.
This report describes the process adopted for these two activities at eight locations on three projects: Sunsari Morang Irrigation Project, Kamala Uttarbahini Irrigation System, and Bijaypur Irrigation Project.
Citation
Howarth, S.; Nott, G.; Umesh Parajuli; Basistha Adhikari; Menuka, K.C.; Dhruba Gautam. Pilot programme for strengthening WUAs. Final report of "Guidelines for Good Governance" DFID KaR R8023. (2004) 96 pp.
Links