PRINCIPLES AND METHODS FOR PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT AND ROLE SHARING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND FARMERS

This paper theoretically discusses the principles and methods for Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), including the goals of irrigation management and obtaining farmers’ cooperation in implementing water management systems. In addition, the principles for role sharing between governments and farmers are discussed. First, the Law of Diminishing Return is used to explain the relationship between the efficiency of an irrigation project and equal water distribution. The law explains that a governmental project has two independent goals of highest economical return and equity in irrigation management, both of which can be simultaneously realized under specific and limited conditions. Second, background is given on how to obtain the cooperation of farmers to show that cooperation is possible because of the competitive relationship of local farmers, not in spite of it. Third, the water distribution process is divided into four sub-processes of decision making, operation, monitoring and feedback. Traditional role sharing between the government and farmers’ organizations is called “spatial role sharing” because lower levels of the canal system are handed over to farmers, while the main levels of the system are still totally managed by the government. Instead of the traditional method, “functional role sharing” is recommended, in which the government and farmers share functions based on the four sub-processes, according to each irrigation facility at the main, lateral or on-farm level.