Institutional reforms in irrigation sector of Pakistan: an approach towards integrated water resource management
Date
2004-10
Authors
Chandio, Shah Nawaz, author
Lashari, Bakhshal, author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Since 1995 the Government of Pakistan has been making efforts to restructuring the century old irrigation system by involving beneficiaries (water users) at various units of the irrigation system management. The main purposes of reforms are: to improve operation and maintenance (O&M) of irrigation system, to make balance in expenditure and revenue, to improve crop production through efficient use of water, maintain affordable drainage system and develop an integrated water resource management (IWRM) approach. In these reforms, the Irrigation Department has been transferred to an autonomous body - Provincial Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA). Under PIDA, Canal Area Water Board at each canal command area and Farmer Organizations at each secondary canal (Distributary/Minor) command area being formed. These all units are now responsible for irrigation, drainage and environment in their jurisdiction. Because of culture, political influence, social and economic set up of Sindh Province of Pakistan; it was argued that the formation of Farmer Organizations would be hard and challenging part of institutional reforms in irrigation sector for any organization. But the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) successfully completed the experience of formation of Farmer Organizations on thirteen distributaries at the time of project. This experience has further resulted in continuous formation of FOs. Until now the formation of FO on one canal command area, having 163 distributaries have been completed. As part of the program, the capacity building activities for members of the organizations being carried out through training and awareness which has subsequently proved that the FOs are holding regular meetings and discussing the issues relating to irrigation and drainage, organization set up, and resource mobilization. The participation of farmer members and management committee members in all events organized at various time and purposes has proved successful as 70-75 percent attendance was observed. For improving the physical system, all farmers contributed voluntarily in cash and kinds, which resulted in improved water distribution by 60 to 70 percent. Paper concludes that the approach adopted for improving water conservation through giving the water rights to the end-users is one of the best tools. However, still it is at initial stage therefore, no concrete result could be made. Further paper gives the impression that without giving due consideration to basic unit organization that is farmer organization (or Bottom-up approach) the result oriented system performance would not be possible.
Description
Presented during the USCID water management conference held on October 13-16, 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The theme of the conference was "Water rights and related water supply issues."