Assessing irrigation performance in the Gediz River Basin of Turkey: water user associations versus cooperatives

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the performance between Water User Associations (WUAs) and cooperatives in the Gediz River Basin in Turkey by applying a set of external comparative performance indicators. The indicators allow for the comparison of irrigation performance between the two organisations. Benchmarking indicators were used to best evaluate the differences, achievements and failures. The indicators included fee collection rate, cost recovery, general meeting attendance, irrigation and personnel intensity. The data was collected over a 7-year period from 1997 to 2003, inclusive. The article clearly shows that, with respect to the selected indicators, both WUAs and cooperatives performed well. Personnel intensity is the one area that both organisations could improve upon. Overall, WUAs function better than cooperatives. The findings and conclusions drawn from this research will be beneficial to managers responsible for policy-making decisions for the future attempts on irrigation management.