PRE-REQUISITES AND STRATEGIES IN ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER USERS ASSOCIATIONS (WUAs)

Crisis in freshwater resource and its scarcity has threatened sustainable development, environment, human safety and welfare in last decades, and called governments commitments for changes in approaches for establishment of participatory management on water and environment resources at all levels (Rio, 1992). Ninety two percent of available freshwater is currently used for agricultural production, and hence, participation of farmers in irrigation management and operation has been so far legislated and stressed in all National Development Plans. Organizing of farmers in community-based organizations plays important role in country's soil and water resources management. Instead of failure of governmental agencies in irrigation system operation and maintenance during last decades, suitable substitutions should be searched for reducing imposed burdens on government and for improved performance and management on water systems. Three consultative workshops were held and participated by experienced managers and professionals to find the best formation for WUAs. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Expert Choice Software was also applied whose results indicate that Guild Water Users Association (GWUAs) is legislatively the best organization to undertake operation and maintenance of irrigation system. Irrigation Management Transfer initiative approved to be a real sample of farmer's participation in form of GWUAs in management and maintenance of irrigation system in Gazvin Plain. In this paper, challenges, opportunities, bottlenecks, achievements and weaknesses are discussed followed by certain remedial recommendations forwarded for improvement. Despite of rapid and complete establishment and good performance of GWUAs in irrigation management and maintenance of the network, however, lack of proper legislation and transparency in relation to governmental institutions would eventually induce many undesired conflicts and problems in future.

کلیدواژه ها:

Irrigation-Drainage System ، Irrigation Management Transfer Initiative ، Water Users Associations ، Operation and Performance ، Network Management and Maintenance