In this essay we will discuss about:- 1. Meaning of Participatory Irrigation Management 2. Objectives of Participatory Irrigation Management 3. Opportunities.
Essay # 1. Meaning of Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM):
The term participatory irrigation management refers to the participation of users -the farmers—in the management of the irrigation system. The Handbook on PIM defines participatory irrigation management as the involvement of irrigation users in all aspects of irrigation management and at all levels. All aspects include planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance, financing, decision rules and the monitoring and evaluation of the irrigation system.
A more comprehensive variant of PIM is Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT). The IMT is the full or partial transfer of responsibility and authority for the governance, management and financing of irrigation systems from the Government to water user. PIM usually refers to the level, mode or intensity of user participation that would increases farmer responsibility and authority in management process.
The concept of involvement of farmers in management of the irrigation system has been accepted as a policy of the Government of India and has been included in the National Water Policy adopted in 1987. In April 1987, the Ministry of Water Resources issued guidelines for farmers’ participation in water management, primarily for areas under the centrally sponsored Command Area Development Programme.
Essay # 2. Objectives of Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM):
i. To create a sense of ownership of water resources and the irrigation system among the users, so as to promote economy in water use and preservation of the system
ii. To improve service deliveries through better operation and maintenance
iii. To achieve optimum utilisation of available resources through sophisticated deliveries, precisely as per crop needs
iv. To achieve equity in water distribution
v. To increase production per unit of water, where water is scarce and to increase production per unit of land where water is adequate
vi. To make best use of natural precipitation and groundwater in conjunction with flow irrigation for increasing irrigation and cropping intensity
vii. To facilitate the users to have a choice of crops, cropping sequence, timing of water supply, period of supply and also frequency of supply, depending on soils, climate and other infrastructure facilities available in the commands such as roads, markets cold storages etc. so as to maximise the income and returns
viii. To encourage collective and community responsibility on the farmers to collect water charges and payment to irrigation agency.
ix. To create healthy atmosphere between the irrigation agency personnel and the users.
Essay # 3. Opportunities through Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM):
Participatory irrigation management is an overarching concept giving roles to farmers to collectively decide in manner that affects their lives. It provides opportunities for collective action, dialogue between users, agencies and governments. Community based and community driven approaches have come to be the norm in most rural development strategies. Effective participation gives opportunities for equity, better management and improved collection of water charges.
Studies of farmer managed systems indicate that the active participation of farmers in irrigation management helps to ensure the sustainability of irrigation systems through predictable water deliveries and allocation of water, improved design and construction, reduced conflicts over water, improved maintenance of the irrigation system, accessibility to government and system personnel and increased agricultural productivity.