Ø International Conference on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Lessons from Implementation in Developing Countries and the 2nd Africa Regional Meeting of the National Committees of UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme

10-12 March 2008

South Africa

Ø 33rd WEDC International Conference “Access to Sanitation and Safe Water: Global Partnerships and Local Actions”

7-11 April 2008

Accra, Ghana

Ø Water Down Under 2008

15-18 April 2008

Adelaide, Australia

Ø Second MEDA Water Regional Event on Local Water Management

28-30 April 2008

Morocco

Ø 7th International Congress on Hydraulic Engineering: ‘Enough Water for Sustainable Development!’

15-18 May 2008

Juventud Island, Cuba

Ø Urbanization of Irrigated Land and Water Transfers: A USCID Water Management Conference

May 28-31, 2008

Scottsdale, Arizona

Ø Conference "Water Resource Systems Management in Extreme Conditions"

4-5 June 2008

Moscow, Russia

Crocus Expo Exhibition Center

Ø Groundwater and Climate in Africa - An International Conference

25-28 June 2008

Kampala, Uganda

Ø 10th International Drainage Workshop of ICID Working Group on Drainage

06-11 July 2008

Helsinki, Finland

Ø 13th World Water Congress

01-04 September 2008

Montpellier, France

Ø Africa Water Resources Management 2008 (AfricaWRM 2008)

8-10 September 2008

Gaborone, Botswana

Ø ICID’s 20th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage

13-19 October 2008

Lahore, Pakistan

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Ø Implementing Integrated Water Resources Management in Central Asia

Ø Water Resources and Hydrometeorology of the Arab Region

Ø Modernizing Irrigation Management. The MASSCOTE Approach Mapping system and services for canal operation techniques

Fellowship and funding opportunities

Ø Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

Ø Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program

Ø Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program

capacity building and trainings

Ø Groundwater Exploration and Monitoring

07-25 April 2008

DELFT, The Netherlands

Ø Knowledge Management for Decision Makers in the Water Sector

14-25 April 2008

DELFT, The Netherlands

Ø Applied Groundwater Modelling

09-27 June 2008

DELFT, The Netherlands

DETAILS

NEWS

INPIM Successfully Conducted Third International Capacity Building Program on PIM in Gumulder/Izmir, Turkey

INPIM has successfully conducted its Third International Capacity Building Program on Participatory Irrigation Management during 21-30 October 2007 in Gumulder/Izmir, Turkey in collaboration with INPIM Turkey Chapter, DSI (State Hydraulic Works), Turkey and the World Bank Institute (WBI). Over 45 participants from Albania, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Pakistan, Romania, Yemen, Turkey, India and USA attended the program. The participants included policy makers, planners, managers, implementers and practitioners, trainers, farmers and others involved in irrigation management reforms.

This 10-day intensive training program involved a mix of lectures and presentations, group discussions and exercises, country experience sharing sessions and field visits. The participants highly appreciated the 2-day field visits to 2 WUAs i.e. Sarikiz WUA and Turgutlu WUA, which provided an opportunity to them to interact with WUAs managers, farmers, stakeholders and staff of the WUAs.

The program covered 15 modules on a wide range of aspects of irrigation reforms including policy, planning and legal aspects, intuitional and management aspects, irrigation financing/ charging and cost recovery aspects, technical aspects, communication and organizational aspects, gender and poverty aspects at various levels from micro/ watercourse to the macro/ watershed levels. A number of internationally renowned resource persons shared their global experiences in irrigation reforms with the participants.

INWEPF’s Invitation to the Virtual Meeting on “Environmental Flows Related to Paddy Agriculture”, 29 October- 16 November 2007

International Network on Water and Environment in Paddy Fields (INWEPF) is organizing a virtual meeting on “Environmental Flows Related to Paddy Agriculture”. The Virtual Meeting started on October 29 and will continue to November 16, 2007. The meeting is being moderated by Dr. David Groenfeldt.

The Meeting comprises four “Meeting Rooms” on (1) irrigation diversions and e-flows; (2) e-flows in rice paddies, (3) assessing e-flow water needs in paddy, and (4) policy implications. Comments may be submitted in English or Japanese and will be translated into the other language. This meeting offers a unique opportunity to engage with Japanese colleagues particularly, and with other experts working in Monsoon Asia, on a topic which will have increasing importance as water competition intensifies.

INWEFP invites you to join the meeting by registering at the following site.

http://inwepf.dc.affrc.go.jp/modules/newbb/

IndiaNPIM holding " All India WUAs Convention", 17-19 December 2007, Hyderabad, India

Introduction

Development of water resources for providing irrigation to large extents is given high priority in all states in the country and huge investments are made each year for construction of new major and medium irrigation projects. It is estimated that around rupees fifty thousand to one lakh and even more are spent for creating irrigation potential for one hectare.

However, under many large irrigation systems has shown that actual irrigation utilization has been much below the irrigation potential created. The overall irrigation efficiency under most of the irrigation systems is reported to be around 30 to 35 per cent. The productivity levels have also been much below the potential.

Experience has shown that active involvement of water users particularly farmers along with irrigation project authorities can improve the situation and ensure irrigation to all the farmers within a chak under each minor. It will also help in better maintenance of the distribution system and improve productivity.

Promotion of participatory irrigation management (PIM) under various irrigation systems through creation of water users associations (WUAs) is now actively pursued in various states, for taking over management of the irrigation system within its operational area, maintain and operate the system, so that the irrigation waters are provided to all the farmers in its area in a dependable and equitable way and the overall irrigation use efficiency is improved, productivity is increased and social justice is achieved. For facilitating the working of WUA state governments have enacted suitable legislation. Capacity building of the WUAs to make them competent enough to manage and operate the system is also taken up. Financial support also is made available to WUAs by way of providing specific grants, sharing of water taxes, etc.

It is almost one decade since the programs for propagating PIM are initiated each state has been promoting PIM suited to local conditions and requirements. The main question that looms large is sustainability of the WUAs.

For this, the only way is to continuously learn from the field experience and improve the functioning in overcoming the various bottlenecks.

There is considerable scope to learn and improve the operational process of PIM and in the functioning of the WUA. Different states have different experience in the implementation of PIM activities. Interaction between the farmers, WUAs, and field officers from different states can be an effective tool in this direction.

Convention Plan

To provide a platform for such mutual consultation and exchange of experiences, a National Level Convention of WUAs is planned to be organized at Hyderabad the second in series. The first one was held in 2002 at Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh.

The IndiaNPIM, a National level organization, in collaboration with Institute of Resource Development and Social Management (IRDAS), and others is organizing a 3-day, All India WUA Convention on 17, 18, & 19th December 2007 at Hyderabad.

The topics for discussions are planned on five (5) themes as follows:

1. Legislation and legal support

2. Water management – water distribution including volumetric supplies

3. Maintenance of the system and raising of finances including water tax collection and sharing it with government

4. Improving productivity; and

5. Sustainability of WUAs and PIM

Delegates for Convention

From each state about 6 WUA Presidents / Farmers will be invited as delegates. Officers of the concerned departments are also welcome to attend the convention.

The location of Venue, for the convention at Hyderabad will be communicated, separately.

Program

The program will consist of presentations of experiences by different WUA Presidents or their representatives, which will be open for discussions. Field visits for one day to a project area will be organized. The following will be the tentative schedule:

Day One
Forenoon	Inaugural Session Main Aspects of the Convention – Introduction
Afternoon	Presentation of state-wise experiences by delegates
Day Two
	Field Visits (SRSP)
Day Three
Forenoon	Group discussions for about two hours Presentation of group findings/ recommendations
Afternoon	Overview of all recommendations – suggestions Valedictory Session

Indian Network on Participatory Irrigation Management (IndiaNPIM)

Room No.318, (Old Building), Central Soil and Material Research Station,

Olof Palme Marg, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110 016

CWRDM Organizing a Workshop for Sharing PIM Experiences in Kerala State, India

Centre for Water Resources Development & Management (CWRDM) is organizing a national workshop on sharing of experiences of the implementation of participatory irrigation management in India from 11-12 December, 2007 in Kerala State, India.

Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), which results in the transfer of authority and responsibilities of irrigation management from governments, either in full or in part, to farmer organizations, is being considered worldwide as a strategic intervention to improve the irrigation sector and mitigate the existing problems of farmers, water managers and government. It is expected to reduce the cost to the government of operating and maintaining irrigation systems, and enhance the sustainability of the system and its services. As a result of the efforts of the National Government, most of the States have taken serious steps to implement PIM in the major/medium irrigation projects. Many states have enacted laws and have advanced in the implementation of PIM. But many states are lagging behind.

Due to diversities, the experiences of the implementation of PIM are different in different states. According to reports from various States, many Water User Associations (WUAs) are found not capable of carrying out PIM activities; and many of them seize functioning after their formation/initial functioning. On the other hand, some of them are functioning successfully, and they take up the tasks and challenges of PIM. Similarly, the performance of the irrigation agencies also varies.

In Kerala, two pilot projects on PIM have been implemented at two branch canal commands of Malampuzha and Neyyar Irrigation Projects. There have been rich experiences now to share with and learn from others.

It is in this background a forum is created to discuss on the pros and cons of implementation of PIM in various states and to come out with solutions to many of the issues that hinder implementation of PIM.

The Programme will be held at Banquet Hall of the Government Guest House, Thiruvananthapuram, Capital of Kerala State, during 11 – 12 December 2007.

The minimum and maximum temperature at Thiruvananthapuram during December will normally be 20º C and 30º C.

Around 60 - 75 participants are expected to attend this workshop.

Contact:

Dr. George Chackacherry

Coordinator, National Workshop on Sharing of Experience of PIM

CWRDM Sub Centre, Neyyattinkara

Thiruvananthapuram – 695121, Kerala

Phone & Fax : 0471 2222319

Mobile: 094464 04780

Email: g_chakkacherry@eth.net

Irrigation System Reforms in Punjab, Pakistan - A Review

The irrigation system in Pakistan is considered as the largest network of canals irrigating the four provinces and fulfilling the needs of the farmers. With the passage of time, the overall performance of this canal system started decreasing resulting in weakening the banks of the canals and silting of canals. Moreover, it was also difficult for the tail users to obtain the sufficient quantity of water. There was a need to totally revamp the irrigation system and to bring it according to modern needs. Keeping in view this situation, the Government of Punjab decided to launch the reform process in canal system for ensuring smooth flow of water and resolving the problems of the farmers.

The Agriculture Experts believe that if farmers are given participation in irrigation water distribution, assessment and collection of water charges, repair of minor other matters with proper guidance and training, then the maintenance of canals and distributaries can be ensured in a more transparent manner. Moreover farmers’ organizations can also be helpful in decreasing the undue expenditures and also help in improving the irrigation system by utilizing the collected money on the maintenance of their respective canals. The issues pertaining to improving the canal system were solved in other agrarian countries by involving the farmers in water distribution. Agriculture experts are of the view that farmers can better manage the canals. After a detailed study of irrigation system in Pakistan, the experts advised the government to include farmers in the irrigation and drainage management. In the light of this proposal, the federal government has constituted irrigation and drainage authorities in four provinces to be called as PIDA in Punjab, SIDA in Sindh, NIDA in NWFP and BIDA in Balochistan. These authorities are striving to bring much needed reforms and ensure participation of farmers in the irrigation management so that they could utilize their canal water in a better way. PIDA has been set up under Punjab Irrigation & Drainage Act, 1997 passed by the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, so that an effective irrigation and drainage system could be ensured over long term basis. For that purpose, area water board, farmer organizations have been constituted for managing big canals and distributaries respectively. Under this reform program, an Area Water Board has been constituted for Lower Chenab Canal (East) Circle as a pilot project. The purpose was to introduce participatory irrigation system comprising of farmers and irrigation department officials. A Khal Panchayat at the level of each watercourse and Farmers Organization at distributary level have been constituted which are responsible for the irrigation system management, water distribution, repair and maintenance of canals, assessment and collection of water charges and conflict resolution pertaining to water distribution with the active involvement of farmers.

The small canals as distributaries are being handed over to FOs under Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) Agreement. The experts believe that the act would develop a sense of ownership among the farmers of distributaries and they would not consider irrigation system a property of the government alone. The participatory irrigation management would also help to develop the canals and improving the water utility besides ensuring funds for the canals development and farmers will now pay their water charges well in time as its collection has been handed over to the farmers’ community.

As a result of PIDA’s initiatives, the Area Water Board of Lower Chenab Canal (West) circle Faisalabad has been approved and as much as 67 FOs have been constituted. It has been planned to handover the IMT to these FOs till the end of this year in phases. Meanwhile, the process of the formation of FOs in Chashma Right Bank, D.G. Khan has also begun and 30 FOs have already been constituted. Similarly the formation process of FOs at Lower Bari Doab Canal is in full swing. PIDA is a provincial level organization which is called Punjab Irrigation & Drainage Authority. This authority comprises of six farmers members and equal number of Government representatives. The provincial irrigation minister is the chairman of the authority. However, in his absence rest of the members can nominate any of the members as an acting chairman. PIDA has been constituted to run the provincial level affairs of irrigation and drainage, distribution of water in canals, rehabilitation of saline lands, looking after the irrigation system and assessment of water charges.

PIDA has setup a social mobilization cell to sensitize the farmers about the participatory irrigation system. As the participation of the farmers in IMT is a new phenomenon, therefore the PIDA has arranged a training mechanism for these FOs and PIDA professional staff has been attached with these FOs so that they could play their role in an efficient way. A monitoring system has been developed to keep as eye on the working of the FOs and improving the service delivery mechanism in future. PIDA has successfully completed its initial reform agenda.

As a result of its untiring efforts, the ratio of water charges (Abiana) collection has been increased manifold and tail users are getting their due share of water. The farmers are deciding the water disputes by themselves and PIDA is playing the role of facilitator.

It is hoped that PIDA would help in revamping the whole irrigation system in the province with the involvement of farmers. Availability of sufficient water will definitely help in food autarky besides earning foreign exchange.

(Source: PIDA Newsletter – July 2007 Issue)

Capacity Building of Farmers Organization in Punjab, Pakistan

Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA) has been providing necessary training to farmers organizations which were operationlaized after IMT in 2005. These FOs are now able to manage the irrigation system independently including the office and technical affairs. Though the FOs are managing their distributaries yet they sometime face troubles in managing their affairs. The Monitoring and Evaluation Cell of PIDA recommended to provide necessary assistance to FOs especially in their weaker areas of services delivery including the preparation and completion of office, technical, revenue and account records.

A schedule for the training of FOs Management Committees and staff was planned and approved by the PIDA management. During September, 2007, the training and Capacity Building staff conducted sessions for FOs of Vanike, Shah Jamal, Dohatta and Kot Chian distributries at Qadarabad Canal Colony. Further the training sessions for rest of the FOs will be arranged later because many of the FOs and their staff remained busy during the month in the campaign which has been launched for recovery of Abiana regarding each crop after IMT especially Kharif 2006. the Training Coordinator LCC (E) AWB, Mr. Abdul Rehman Qazi attended meetings in the office of Dy. General Manager (TM), Dy. General Manager (P) and Manager (IS) AWB to discuss the requirements for FOs regarding their areas need improvement and planning for future activities.

(Source: PIDA Newsletter – September 2007 Issue)

Third Party Consultants Evaluating Canal Water Equity and FOs Performance in Punjab, Pakistan

Third Party Consultants have carried out measurements for determining Delivery Performance Ratio Values to monitor canal water equity and transparency in FO and Irrigation & Power Department (IPD), Punjab managed channels. The consultants have carried out random measurements of discharges in 36 channels and 357 outlets and are now analyzing the collected data.

The consultants are also conducting performance evaluation of FOs. A sample of 10 FOs from LCC East Area Water Board and 4 FOs from LCC West Area Water Board have been selected for the study. A detailed evaluation framework comprising key performance indicators and various types of data collection formats has been developed for this purpose. As part of engineering audit exercise, the consultants have also conducted review of work plans and have made relevant observations.

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NEWS

DONORS’ LENDING AND SUPPORT FOR IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE PROJECTS

Upcoming Regional and International Meets and Events

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Fellowship and funding opportunities

capacity building and trainings