Group dynamics effectiveness of water user associations under different irrigation systems in an eastern Indian state

Abstract

AbstractMost of the irrigation systems in India, whether large or small, are reported to have problems relating to the management of irrigation system at grass‐root level. Therefore, a solution that has been tried in various places is irrigation management transfer to water user groups. However, group dynamics plays a pivotal role in the functioning of groups in an efficient manner. The present study was conducted to study the group dynamics effectiveness of water users' associations (WUAs) under different irrigation systems in the state of Orissa, India. A group dynamics effectiveness index (GDEI) was formulated to measure group effectiveness of selected WUAs, which included 10 parameters. The study was carried out following an interview survey of 159 farmers representing eight WUAs under different irrigation systems. All 10 parameters of the GDEI were highly regarded by the farmers of lift irrigation WUAs, except social support. Most of the parameters of group effectiveness were found to be high in the case of minor irrigation WUAs. Farmers of major irrigation WUAs have perceived many of the parameters (participation, decision‐making procedure, group atmosphere, empathy, interpersonal trust and social support) to be weak. Differential group effectiveness may be attributed to the temporal and spatial variation in the irrigation command areas under the group's jurisdiction. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.