Abstract
Rapid social-economic development has posed serious challenges to irrigation management in Taiwan. Drawing upon data collected through in-depth interviews with farmers and local irrigation officials and an appraisal survey, this study compares the processes of adaptation that have taken place in irrigation systems in four distinct ecological-institutional settings in the Chianan area of Taiwan. We have found that different modes of institutional nesting have affected farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies and the way self-governance has played out in the adaptation process, and that different adaptation strategies have brought about different impacts on system robustness and the sustainability of self-governance.
Highlights
Taiwan arguably has some of the best-performing irrigation systems in the world, which have made significant contributions to the country’s economic development (Liao et al 1986; Williams 1994; Chen 1997)
Irrigation in much of Taiwan is governed by seventeen Irrigation Associations (IAs) – parastatal organizations collectively owned by farmers, supervised by governments at multiple jurisdiction levels, managed by professional managers, led by local politicians chosen by farmers, and supported by a network of Irrigation Groups (IGs) through which farmers organize collective action for irrigation operation and maintenance (O&M) at the local level
In this study we have shown that ecological-physical factors, such as whether a system is reservoir-fed or river-fed and whether sophisticated integrated irrigation infrastructure is in place, affect the way an irrigation system is nested into the broader water management regime
Summary
Taiwan arguably has some of the best-performing irrigation systems in the world, which have made significant contributions to the country’s economic development (Liao et al 1986; Williams 1994; Chen 1997). Irrigation in much of Taiwan is governed by seventeen Irrigation Associations (IAs) – parastatal organizations collectively owned by farmers, supervised by governments at multiple jurisdiction levels, managed by professional managers, led by local politicians chosen by farmers, and supported by a network of Irrigation Groups (IGs) through which farmers organize collective action for irrigation operation and maintenance (O&M) at the local level. This design combines professional management and government support on the one hand, and farmer participation and self-governance on the other.. In Taiwan and elsewhere, many have argued that economic development and globalization have rendered communitybased collective action irrelevant (Chen 1996, 1999; AERC 1999, 2000, 2001; Meinzen-Dick and Hoek 2001; Pritchett and Woolcock 2004; Gulati et al 2005; Shivakoti et al 2005; Meinzen-Dick 2007)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
