Improvement in Irrigation efficiency in Waghad Irrigation Project-A Success Story in Water Governance Dr Sanjay Belsare Se and DS, GoM National Convention of WUAs 07-08Nov , New Delhi

Waghad Medium Irrigation Project Located in Tribal area of Nashik completed in 1979.

Index Map of Waghad Project Command of project is spread in 17 villages having around 15000 farmers

It is first such attempt in the country. PROJECT INITIATIVE Improving Water Use Efficiency and Water Productivity of irrigation Projects through Participation of Farmers in Irrigation Management. (2006-2011) Background : Waghad PLWUA took over the irrigation management of the entire project in the year 2005. It is first such attempt in the country. Area Coverage (ha) Year Wise Formation of WUAs

PURPOSE & PRIORITIES OF THE INITIATIVE Bridging gap between irrigation potential created and utilized Equitable and efficient distribution of water for agriculture in command area of Waghad project. Effective participation of farmers in irrigation management. Increased efficiency through reduced time and cost of service delivery Improving water productivity “More crop & More Income per drop of Water” Improving livelihood of farmers and landless farmers

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF WAGHAD PROJECT LEVEL WATER USERS ASSOCIATION (PLWUA), MOHADI. Details of WUAs on Waghad Project PLWUA (Apex Level) WUA (Minor Level) (24) FARMERS (Field)

DISTRIBUTION NETWORK MANAGEMENT Waghad Dam WRD, GoM Waghad Canal PLWUA Minor of Waghad Canal MANAGEMENT WUA Field Channel Farmer

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INITIATIVE Integrated use of surface & ground water resulting in eight months irrigation to round the year irrigation. Equitable Distribution: Tail To Head Principle Enforcement of water use entitlement which is monitored & regulated by MWRRA. Active women participation 14 Chair-persons are women, out of 25 WUAs. In total 75 members are women in 25 WUAs.

STAKE HOLDERS PARTICIPATION IN INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING Farmers Agriculture Dept. (Agri) PLWUA Water Resources dept. (WRD) NGO WUA Farmers contributed 50 lakh out of 500 lakh of rehabilitation cost. Farmers contributed 15% cost of office building. Formation of CMC for supervising of rehabilitation works. Farmers developed sense of ownership towards the project. Waghad is a good example of convergence of efforts of NGO & different line departments.

After irrigation management transfer to PLWUA yearly OUTCOMES Outcomes Table shows the progressive improvement in the efficient water use by farmers Sr. No. Year Area Irrigated on canal and wells ( Ha ) Water supplied at the canal head (Million Cubic Meter) Water use efficiency (Ha/million cubic meter) 1 2003 - 2004 7,377 33.81 218.18 2 2004 - 2005 8,393 37.72 222.50 After irrigation management transfer to PLWUA yearly 3 2005 - 2006 9,253 37.75 245.11 4 2006 - 2007 10,900 39.78 274.00 5 2007 - 2008 10,950 36.92 296.58 6 2008 - 2009 10400 34.69 299.77 7 2009 - 2010 9108 32.10 283.73 8 2010 – 2011 7862 26.132 300.87

IMPROVEMENT IN MEASURABLE INDICATORS Sr. No. Description Before Transfer of Irrigation Management to PLA (2004-05) After transfer of management to PLA (2012-13) 1 Average Area Irrigated in Hectare 8393 9745 2 Mode of Water Supply Volumetric supply at minor head Volumetric supply at main canal head 3 Water Saving - 30 % Water saving as compared to 2004-05 4 Average Water charges Recovery in Rs. 1.012 Million 2.577 Million 5 Average Percentage of Recovery of Water Charges 72 % (of the water billed for the actual irrigated area) 100 % 6 Crop pattern Cereal, Grapes, Vegetables Crop diversification to Floriculture, Medicinal plants, etc. along with grapes and vegetables. 7 Employment Generated (No of days/ year) 150-175 200-250 8 Irrigation Methods 75 % Flood, 25 % Drip & Sprinkler 60% Flood, 40 % Drip & Sprinkler 9 Average Net Income (Rs per Ha) 60,000 1,80,000

Improvement In Delivery Time of Services : No of rotation increased to 5-6 rotations per year. Flow period reduced by 2 to 4 days. Services at doorsteps of the farmers. Simplified Procedures : 15916 consumers (farmers) are now reduced to just ONE (PLWUA). Accounting & billing software has made assessment simpler Improvement in Water Productivity In 2008-09 357 crore gross agriculture production from 3500 crore liters of water which means that water productivity is 10 paisa/ lit. in Waghad project. Reduction In Cost of O & M

SUSTAINABILITY With transfer of irrigation management, the O&M of canal is done by WUAs and PLWUA through collection of water charges. Water Entitlement has provided assurance to the farmers The PLWUA & WUA were operating and maintaining their canal network, since last five years. Every WUA has their own office building

PALKHED IRRIGATION DIVISION PROJECT WISE WUAs REPLICABILITY Participatory and Innovative Irrigation Management in Waghad has inspired many farmers in the state as well as the country to come forward for formation of WUAs. Waghad model can be very well replicable PALKHED IRRIGATION DIVISION PROJECT WISE WUAs Sr. No. Name Of Project Existing WUAs No. CCA (ha) Remarks 1 Palkhed 150 46852 6 Dy level WUAs formed 3 Ozarkhed 26 10169 4 Dy level WUAs formed, PLA formation 4 Karanjwan 301 3 WUAs in formation process & PLA at the end year Total 178 57322

RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS RECEIVED

Abstract From Letter By Hon Abstract From Letter By Hon. Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission , India. I should have added that in our View Maharashtra has been a leader in Water Resources Reforms. The fixing of Volumetric water rates,, formation of Water user associations and greater accountability are excellent steps.

DIGNITARIES COMMENTS Shri U N Panjiar Secretary, MoWR, Govt of India, New Delhi I visited Waghad medium irrigation project, its canals & minors. I also met the president of Waghad project level water users association, presidents of minor level water users association of Jay Yogeshwar, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule & Banganga & farmers of there associations. I found that they have done excellent job in management of water distribution & use in the command area of their jurisdictions a result of which water charge & its recovery has improved manifold. O & M of minors has also improved leading to saving of water & expansion of irrigation in the command areas & income of farmers. I, hope this inspires farmers of other areas also to form WUAs & manage Water efficiently for their own benefit. I wish them all success.

Visit of team of Engineers from East African Nations

International award “ICID-WATSAVE” for Innovative Water Management for the year 2009 given away by International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage (ICID) on 10 December 2009 at New Delhi.

Waghad PLWUA & Palkhed Irrigation Division received the National Productivity Award given away on 24 September 2009 by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India at New Delhi.

“Excellence in Water Management” given away by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on 10 December 2009 at Hyderabad.

Waghad PLWUA has been honoured with Best WUA for 2008-09 in the state by Government of Maharashtra.

Engineers Team Award ( Sanghik Puraskar ) for Outstanding Achievement to Palkhed Irrigation Division given away by Government of Maharashtra on18 February 2010

Rehabilitation Work of Waghad Project Under MWSIP View of Waghad R.B.C. from Dam Top before work View of Waghad R.B.C. from Dam Top after work

WUA Office Building

THANK YOU www.wrd.maharashtra.gov.in www.waghadproject.org 26

PIM CONCEPT Dedicated Participation of Farmers, NGO & Govt. Depts. in irrigation Management Functions Of Water Users Associations Equitable distribution of water amongst its members Operation & Maintenance of Canal System Collection of Water Charges Resolve Dispute amongst Members Representing Interest of Farmers & Coordinating with Government Departments

BENEFITS TO FARMERS BENEFITS TO SYSTEM Water Entitlement Assured Supply of Water Freedom of Cropping Pattern Conjunctive Use BENEFITS TO SYSTEM Sense of Ownership of Irrigation System among Farmers Efficient Use of water Sustainable Management of Water Resources Saving in Operation & Maintenance Cost

MMISF ACT 2005 For effective implementation of PIM, GoM has introduced modified act namely, Maharashtra Management of Irrigation System By Farmers in 2005 For management of irrigation system by farmers by providing water from public canal system to WUA’s on volumetric basis. To bridge gap between irrigation potential created and actual utilization. To ensure proper use of surface and ground water by increasing efficiency in distribution delivery application and drainage of irrigation systems To give statutory recognition to the constitution and operation of WUA MERGE IN SLIDE 5 WITH PIM

QUALITY POLICY We, at PALKHED IRRIGATION DIVISION, NASIK, are committed to continually improve the satisfaction of our customers; the farmers of command area of Upper Godavari Irrigation project, water users association and non-irrigation customers. We will strive to achieve following, Increase the efficiency of irrigation projects· Increase the involvement of farmers in the irrigation management. Path towards economic self-sufficiency of the projects. Achieving safety of citizens and property through dam safety and better flood control. Efficient management through training and development To Preserve Water Better utlisation of water and help farmers for better irrigation of farms Adhere to Quality Management Practices in our work culture Taking care of an environment & adopt sustainable policies Create Green through plantations on irrigation lands