Canal Irrigation Management through Water Users Associations and its Impact on Efficiency, Equity and Reliability in Water Use in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The study has examined the impact of Water Users Associations (WUAs) on efficiency, equity and reliability in canal irrigation. The economic and data envelopment analyses have been carried out to measure the profitability and technical efficiency among the participating and non-participating farms. Reliability scores are developed to assess the reliability of canal water and Garrett ranking technique has been used to find constraints to participation in WUAs. The overall participation in WUAs has been found satisfactory and the participation increases as farm-size increases. However, the inputs and technical know-how supply has been found weak. The number of canal irrigation application and yield realization are higher on participating than non-participating farms. The participating farms are technically more efficient in crop production than the non-participating farms. The reliability scores for irrigation management parameters are more for participating than non-participating farmers. The lack of unity, cooperation and interest among water users has been found to be the most limiting factor, followed by the inequity in water allocation for the active participation in the WUAs. To realize the full benefits of scarce canal water resource, efforts should be directed towards enhancing participation of all sections of the farming community in WUAs. The WUAs should be multifunctional to facilitate the timely supply of good quality agricultural inputs along with irrigation water management.