IMPROVING ACCESS TO IRRIGATION P. Bozakov T. Panella

ISSUES OF ACCESSING IRRIGATION Systems are dilapidated and lack resources for O&M Unresponsive and unaccountable management Inefficient and inequitable distribution of irrigation water Water is not available in the quantity or at the time needed Low productivity of irrigated agriculture – compounded by other agricultural constraints The poor and tail-enders are most severely affected ADB improves access to irrigation in existing systems by promoting reforms to empower water users, supported by balanced investments in infrastructure, institutions, capacity and technology development

PRO-POOR INTERVENTION STRATEGIES IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IN ASIA Irrigation investment reduces poverty along with land, education and roads – poverty is twice as high in rainfed areas Irrigation reduces vulnerability to risks and poverty shocks Irrigation reform – providing users access to governance and management of water improves their access to water Focus on efficiency and equity of water distribution and integrated use of water resources Poverty impacts from irrigation depend also on additional factors – inputs, agricultural support services, research etc. Comprehensive and integrated approach to both hardware and software elements for project design

CHHATTISGARH IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (CIDP) PARTICIPATORY APPROACH TO IRRIGATION PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT

KEY ISSUES Chhattisgarh is one of the poorest states in India (43% of the population lives below the poverty line) Some 1.3 million hectare are irrigated mostly by minor schemes, but cropping intensity is low (120%) Most of the irrigation schemes are in poor condition and cannot provide reliable and equitable water supplies, especially to the tail-end users Agricultural productivity is low and crop yields are below the average in India Sustainability of irrigated agriculture is a major issue due to top-down operation of the systems, lack of O&M funding and limited institutional capacity

PROJECT OBJECTIVES To improve productivity of irrigated agriculture in Chhattisgarh through: To improve productivity of irrigated agriculture in Chhattisgarh through: a.improved irrigation service delivery, b.enhanced agricultural practices and crop diversification, c.strengthened water resources management. To achieve these objectives investments have been provided in: To achieve these objectives investments have been provided in: a.infrastructure to increase the precision and equitability of water distribution b.institutional capacity building to make the best use of the new infrastructure and improve water management.

PROJECT COMPONENTS Component A: Strengthening of the Water Resources Department (WRD) including institutional reforms and capacity building Component B: Introduction of participatory irrigation management (PIM): a.Strengthening of the policy and institutional framework (PIM act and rules) b.WUA mobilization and capacity development. c.Active farmers’ involvement in the planning and implementation of rehabilitation and upgrading (R&U) works and water management

Component C: R&U of selected minor and medium irrigation schemes a.covers some 200,000 ha b.comprises rehabilitation of main system canals and structures and construction of field channels Component D: Agriculture Support Services: a.Providing agricultural support to WUAs. b.Improve productivity of Kharif rice c.Promote productivity and marketing of new diverse Rabi crops PROJECT COMPONENTS

FARMERS INVOLVEMENT IN PROJECT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION Step 1: Farmers identify R&U requirements; Step 2: Designers discuss R&U options with WUAs; Step 3: 75% of the WUA general body approve R&U plan; Step 4: WUA endorse the tender documents Step 5: WUA signs an agreement to maintain the rehabilitated scheme, and contribute to O&M; Step 6: WUA involved in selecting contractors Step 7: WUA and WRD monitor construction Step 8: WUA quality of works and endorse payments.

INTRODUCTION OF PIM AND WUA CAPACITY BUILDING Development of Chhattisgarh PIM Act, rules, regulations and agreements Initial awareness building on CIDP, PIM and support for WUA election Mobilization of farmers and their organizations and initial knowledge-building Organizing and catalyzing active farmer/WUA involvement in R&U WUA strengthening and capacity building

INTRODUCTION OF PIM AND WUA CAPACITY BUILDING Developing, introducing and internalizing improved O&M procedures and water management by WUAs and through WUA-WRD partnerships, including contractual agreements between WUAs and WRD Introducing improved agricultural practices and technologies for increased rice production in kharif and diversified cropping through: - Training and extension services (using the Department of Agriculture and NGOs) - Organizing farmers (by NGOs) to improve farm productivity, input supply, access to credit, and marketing

INTRODUCTION OF PIM AND WUA CAPACITY BUILDING Improving the collection of irrigation fees Introducing women’s participation in O&M Establishment of monitoring and evaluation and management information systems Consolidation and institutionalization of PIM and introduction of improved O&M and agricultural practices

KEY ACTIVITIES  Improved Water Management and Water Productivity  Improved Agricultural Production  Improved Incomes  Participatory R&U of selected schemes  O&M: improved water use, canal operation (focusing on equity and reliability) and better on-farm water and land management  WRD Strengthening  WUA Strengthening  WUA-WRD Partnerships  Introduction of better irrigation technology  Enhanced cropping patterns and crop diversification  Matching water supplies and crop demand  Improved agricultural practices  Introducing modern agricultural practices, via farmers’ training and extension  Organizing farmers to manage input purchase and marketing  Providing support services, and credit  Improved farm productivity, food security, and reduced rural poverty

PRO-POOR FOCUSED INTERVENTIONS Focus on areas with poor rural population Legislation for participatory irrigation management Support to WUA development and farmers’ training Participatory planning, design and implementation of R&U works Introduction of decentralized irrigation water management, and reliable and equitable water delivery managed by WUAs Improved irrigation practices and crop diversification Introduction of transparent O&M funding and improved O&M procedures Increased attention to gender and environment issues

PAKISTAN PUNJAB IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE INVESTMENT PROGRAM (PIAIP) Ten year financing facility - $900 million Provides an Integrated Approach to: –Irrigation –Water Resources Management –Agricultural Services –Project Hardware and Software Greater Resource Access, Reduced Risks, Better Livelihood Options

KEY ISSUES IN PUNJAB Irrigated agriculture in Punjab (i) 28% of Punjab’s GDP, (ii) 54% of the labor force, (iii) 90% of agricultural output, and (iv) 95% of the water resources Over $20 billion in irrigation assets – old, very deteriorated, and inadequate O&M resources Poor irrigation service delivery with low accountability and transparency Limited agricultural productivity High water demand – private tubewells supply half the irrigation water in the command area but they are not regulated and of variable quality leading to overdraft and salinity problems in some areas

PROJECT OBJECTIVES Economic growth and improved livelihoods –Increased productivity of irrigated agriculture –Increased sustainability of water and land resources

Lower Bari Doab Canal Improvement Project Over 700,000 ha; 275,000 farm families; 2 million people Component 1: Rehab of the Balloki Barrage and Main Canal –Allows more irrigation water to the canal system – more to access –Mitigate flood risks and impacts – poor are most vulnerable Component 2: Rehab of the Distribution Network (all smaller canals and field outlets) –Ensures improved water supply reaches the farmers’ fields –New infrastructure for improved measurement, control and management –Rehab is undertaken with full participation of Farmer Organizations More responsive to farmer needs Generates ownership for the system on behalf of the farmers Develops social capital for Farmer Organizations

Lower Bari Doab Canal Improvement Project Component 3: Groundwater Management – ensures sustainable exploitation, provides options for conjunctive use, establishes best practices for land/salinity management, reduces resource risks –Farmer training through Farmer Organizations –Well-drillers training and certification program –System level groundwater modeling and management strategies –Benefits tail-enders/poor disproportionately –Sustains private investment for shallow tubewells

Lower Bari Doab Canal Improvement Project Component 4: On-Farm Water Management and Agriculture provides improved livelihoods options and reduces agricultural risks –Agricultural field demonstrations and extension programs for every Farmer Organization –Improved field channel design and land leveling for improved irrigation efficiency, increased productivity, and better land management –Alternative irrigation technologies and other water management/conservation techniques –Groundwater, conjunctive use, and salinity management

Lower Bari Doab Canal Improvement Project Component 5: Institutional Strengthening and Operations Modernization to empower farmer access to manage water and improve service delivery –Development of Farmer Organizations (FOs) –Creation of Irrigation Management Units to support FOs with O&M, groundwater, agriculture, and management –Redirects and improves financial flows to FOs for O&M –Analyze Irrigation Department operations, financial flows, staffing, and other management concerns to develop a modernization strategy and restructuring plan –Decentralized management of the entire irrigation system and its transition to an Area Water Board with farmer representation

POSITIVE REFORM ENVIRONMENT High economic growth and overall climate of reform Long-term coordinated sector engagement of ADB, JBIC, and WB Institutional Framework in Place for Reform –Provincial Irrigation and Drainage Authority Act 1997 –Punjab Irrigation Sector Reform Program 2006 –Punjab Irrigation Sector Development Policy Loans – World Bank –Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Development Program – ADB Government sensitized to reforms through previous projects Strong political will and leadership in Government Government leading the reform effort and the donor coordination – strong ownership of the process

REFORM LESSONS LEARNED Providing users access to governance and management over irrigation improves their access to irrigation Reforms require commitment by all stakeholders Reforms need a clear and sound policy/legal/statutory foundation to support implementation Reforms should be systemic and comprehensive to address interrelated issues – piecemeal solution may not work Proper planning and sequencing of reforms and allocation of adequate time and resources is required Reforms should be supported through the coincident development of infrastructure Transparency and accountability are key design principles Ongoing capacity building for all stakeholders is essential Active participation of WUA/FOs and farmers is vital

WUA/FO REFORM LESSONS LEARNED WUA/FO development is a long-term process WUA/FOs require capacity development and support for all aspects of irrigation – O&M, management and governance etc. WUA/FOs need to be involved in all aspects of irrigation development and management WUA/FO development should be conceived within a context of overall sector reform – not an isolated event WUA/FOs should have a strong legal foundation WUA/FO by-laws should ensure maximum access for all water users including tenants, sharecroppers, women, etc. Irrigation Departments require engagement, capacity development, and a clear role/responsibilities to support WUAs Adequate financial resources for WUA/FOs and a focus on O&M is necessary for sustainable improvement

IRRIGATED FOOD FOR THOUGHT How best to integrate irrigation with agriculture and resource management? What is the best way forward for more responsive and accountable irrigation management at all levels - including irrigation departments? How can the structure and modalities for irrigation subsidies be improved? or Should irrigation be subsidized? – what part(s), how and why? Irrigation – is there a trade off between poverty and productivity, equity and efficiency? and if so, how should it be addressed if at all? Irrigation and poverty – what next?

Thank You