Participation of Water Users Associations in Gash spate system management, Sudan

Abstract

Water Users Associations (WUAs) have been introduced in Gash Delta Agricultural Scheme (GDAS) in 2004. The level of participation and performance of these associations have been influenced by many factors. The purpose of this paper is to measure the level of participation and to identify the factors influences the performance of WUAs in GDAS in eastern part of Sudan. Field visits, questionnaires, and focus group discussions were conducted during 2013/2014 crop season. The participation of farmers was classified to full, average, less and no participation. The results indicated that WUAs fully participate in water distribution and clearance of agricultural land. It is found that WUAs partially participate in provision of finance, seeds, attend flooding time and report water breakages. WUAs less participate in maintaining of bonds and not yet contribute in mapping of wetland. The results also indicated that WUAs have influenced by the lack of cooperation with other related institutions working in GDAS. The obtained results will contribute in improvement of participatory spate system management.

Determining the satisfaction level of water user association service quality for supporting sustainable rural development

“…This condition raises strong accountability, improving the performance of water distribution to farmer-owned agricultural lands. The involvement of local people (villagers) in the management of the irrigation system can cut the cost incurred by the government and support the sustainability of the irrigation system of the region (Abdelgalil and Bushara 2017). Ostrom (1990Ostrom ( , 1992 argues that the irrigation management that involves local people may as well be better than the state's management.…”

Strategies to Cope with Risks of Uncertain Water Supply in Spate Irrigation Systems

“…Water user association (WUAs), established in 2004, further institutionalized the basis for land and water distribution in the GAS (Abdelgalil and Bushara, 2018).The cropping 7 pattern has changed from cotton to sorghum as the main crop produced in GAS. Sorghum, a deep-rooted and drought-resistant crop, is currently grown in most of the area.…”

“…Past research into spate irrigation studied local experiences with uncertain water supplies primarily in terms of infrastructure, flexibility in engineering design, and water-sharing rules (Saher et al, 2014, Komakech et al, 2011, Ngirazie et al, 2015, Abdelgalil and Bushara, 2018, Van Steenbergen, 1997, Khan et al, 2014, ignoring farmers' and the water user association's (WUA's) own coping strategies. Effective strategies can greatly reduce the impact of climate variability and enhance local capacity to adjust and cope with the negative consequences (Cooper et al, 2008).…”

Risk Propagation in Spate Irrigation Systems: A Case Study from Sudan

“…The climate is arid, with average temperature ranging from 26°C during the winter to 42°C in summer, and evapotranspiration rates are estimated around 2000 mm yr −1 (Abdelgalil and Bushara, ). The average annual irrigated area is approximately 30 000 ha.…”

“…The WUAs established in 2004 further institutionalized the basis for land and water distribution in the GAS (Abdelgalil and Bushara, ). To spread the risk of uncertain water supply, the irrigation schedule is divided into two turns in a 2‐year land rotation system.…”