FARMER`S PARTICIPATION IN IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT

1.1. Utilization of the created irrigation potential and its productivity is not suffering because of lack of technical know how. The most important area, which is not receiving its due importance, is to create an appropriate organization, to frame adequate rules and tools and to develop proper relationship with the farmer clients. A lot of discussion, thinking and research is required to be done towards this and to evolve a suitable pattern satisfying the needs of a project of a region. 1.2. Participation is sharing the power of decision –making, sharing of responsibility and sharing of cost and benefits. To hand over the water at the outlet cannot be said as framer’s participation. 1.3. For achieving efficiency in water management and creating a self-sustaining system, minor changes will not suffice in administration. Main point of importance is that farmer should get involved in the management of irrigation system and recovery of water charges. Hence farmer will have to participate in the management of the irrigation. Participatory irrigation management is the only solution. The farmers can participate by becoming members of the Water Users Association (WUA).