World setting: economic and social constraints

Abstract

This paper outlines some of the social and economic constraints which, particularly in developing countries, tend to slow down or even block the introduction of advances in irrigation and allied techniques which can do so much to increase efficiency and raise productivity. The nature of the constraints, chiefly affecting the achievement of the higher levels of productivity made possible by irrigation, are discussed in relation to system management and farmer motivation and incentives. The need to overcome these constraints is plain, because the scope for increased production through irrigation is so great and so necessary. Because governments and financing agencies tend to favour them, for reasons ranging from prestige to relative ease of appraisal and financing, irrigation schemes in developing countries are often large-scale projects and tend to be composed mainly of small mixed-crop farms. This combination too often generates constraints which limit, in practice, potential productivity. For the small farmer, the key constraint is seen as basic security: the removal or reduction of this constraint involves both more efficient and responsive system management and sensible economic and social policies on such issues as pricing, land tenure and credit. If the small farmer feels secure, he may readily respond to new techniques and inputs provided he is made aware of them and their potential benefits to him. The necessary information and advice is often poor or lacking. While conventional extension services obviously have a role to play, they are frequently weak and inadequately backed by research. It is suggested that, to improve the situation, advisory services provided by credit organizations should be more widely developed; private sector involvement right across the development spectrum should be strongly stimulated; and more flexible policies should be pursued in relation to size of farm unit, so that at least a proportion of larger farms or commercial estates are included in projects, the latter possibly with formal or informal linkages to neighbouring small farmers.