6. Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM)

Any irrigation project cannot be successful unless it is linked to the stakeholders, that is, the farmers themselves. In fact, people’s participation in renovation and maintenance of field channels was the established practice during the pre-independence days. However, the bureaucracy encroached on this function in the post-independence period and a realization has dawned that without the participation of farmers, the full potential of an irrigation scheme may not be realized.

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. It stated that

“Efforts should be made to involve farmers progressively in various aspects of management of irrigation systems, particularly in water distribution and collection of water rates. Assistance of voluntary agencies should be enlisted in educating the farmers in efficient water-use and water management.”

Policy guidelines were framed for farmers’ participation in the areas under the Centrally Sponsored Command Area Development Programme. One of the objectives of PIM is 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.

At operational level, Water Users’ Association (WUA), Distributary Committee and Project Committees have been formed. With the help of a model act by central government, various states have enacted laws for PIM. Total area covered under various WUA in all states together is approximately 15 million hectare in 2010.