A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT ON PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT IN IRAN

In southwest of Iran, in Khuzestan province there is an irrigation network with about 7600 hectares gross areas which is under private sector. This network that was constructed in 1950, supplies its water requirement from Ojiroob River with 14m3/s (maximum discharge); so it is known as Ojiroob Network. The network consists of a diversion dam with three gate and 3 m3/s discharge, 6/8 km. main canal (soil coverage) and 8 km secondary canal and main drain. All network's structures have been built and are operating by South Agricultural Corporation. This network is managed fully privately by board of directors of South Agricultural corporation with no interference from any governmental organs. Corporation's shareholders and the board of directors are both owners and local farmers of the rural area. The corporation is in charge of all water supply, conveyance and distribution works, canal and dam protection and repairing, and farmers are as its customers who sell water in cheep rate and without any control. The annually network's operation cost is at least about $45000 which is met by shareholders and users' (water rate payment). But maintenance and operation costs of network are too expensive to be met only through these sources. The public sector has taken no efficient action in protection of network either in giving loan, or financial and technical aids to the corporation. Thus, in recent years this corporation has encountered financial crisis in the network maintenance. Considering the network's conditions and functions, as a good pattern for encouraging the private sector and farmers' participation in irrigation management, it is essential to solve its problems and make efforts for its survival. Hence, in addition to receiving technical and financial support for the network optimization, it necessitates to construct water control structures and water usage according to volumetric units.