Performance assessment of irrigation management transfer from government‐managed to farmer‐managed irrigation system: a case study

Abstract

The government of NWFP, Pakistan, established an autonomous body, the Frontier Irrigation and Drainage Authority (FIDA), in 1997 to effectively cope with the emerging challenges in irrigation management. Six distributaries were recently transferred to farmers' organizations under the irrigation management transfer (IMT) for their operation and management. Results of the study revealed that the irrigation supplies are adequate to meet the crop water requirements. The relative water supply (RWS) index varies from 1.66 to 2.02 during summer, whereas in winter it varies from 2.22 to 2.55. The delivery performance ratio (DPR) during summer varies from 0.78 to 0.83 and in winter from 0.73 to 0.63. Irrigation supplies were reliable during both summer and winter seasons. Due to improved irrigation supply, annual irrigation intensity has increased by 25%. There is a prominent increase in yield of maize (40%), sugarcane (55%) and wheat (43%). The irrigation service fee collected was approximately 60% of the fee assessed. Hydraulic committees at each distributary should be established to operate the distributary according to crop demand. Awareness of the farmers should be created regarding the farm irrigation application methods to avoid over-irrigation and wastage of water.

Improving Operational Performance of Farmers Managed Distributary Canal using SIC Hydraulic Model

“…From 15th March to 20th August, irrigation supplies exceed the evapotranspiration (irrigation demand). Evapotranspiration of crops was calculated based on actual cropped area (Latif and Tariq 2008). From third decade of August to last decade of September water supplies were close to the evapotranspiration.…”

Analyzing governance reforms in irrigation: Central, South and West Asian experience

“…Many of the potential FO members knew very little about the purpose and modalities of reforms (Nakashima, 2005). Farmers' awareness remains a key challenge and the collection of irrigation service fees remains low (Latif and Tariq, 2008). The land tenure systems posed enormous challenges, as lessees to absentee landlords cultivated large tracts of land.…”

What role can information play in improved equity in Pakistan’s irrigation system? Evidence from an experimental game in Punjab

“…FOs in turn send representatives to area water boards (AWBs) formed for each canal command area. The progress of the reform and the performance of AWBs, FOs, and KPs has been well reviewed in recent literature (e.g., Latif and Tariq 2009, World Bank 2010, Ghumman et al 2011, and we will not belabor this topic. As a simple summary, reform has been established in less than one-fifth of canal commands across Punjab and Sindh, attributable in no small part to resistance from the provincial irrigation departments (PIDs), which stand to lose authority through the reform; performance issues of FOs across Sindh and Pakistan include yet-persistent inequity in water distribution and a low and declining willingness to pay abiana (Memon 2006, Ul Hassan 2009, Asrar-UlHaq 2010.…”