Future of INPIM Chpaters

INPIM is quite a young organization which has not even existed three full years. Nevertheless, its members take great pride in the contributions it has already made to popularizing the PIM concept all over the world. The concept has been adopted by other organizations, like the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) and the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), in their conferences and seminars. Similarly, various international institutes have started offering training programs on stakeholder participation in irrigation management.

There was a time when a lot of misconceptions prevailed regarding users' involvement in irrigation management. Planners, policy makers, experts, irrigation managers, and farmers could not believe that users could manage irrigation systems, which even government agencies find difficult to manage. At present, the consensus is rapidly growing amongst all concerned that PIM is a win-win situation for everyone. As a result of this paradigm shift, many countries have passed enabling laws and diverted irrigation management planning efforts towards PIM.

National Chapters of INPIM can play a crucial role in implementing PIM activities on the ground. A national-level organization offers a forum for messages, ideas and experiences to be discussed and debated directly with the water users. Furthermore, a national INPIM chapter can monitor the execution and adoption of PIM activities. The following strategies are suggested to develop effective national chapters:

1. Legal registration. National chapters should be legally established and registered, with carefully drafted by-laws that conform broadly with the by-laws of INPIM headquarters, while allowing for certain amendments specific to local conditions. The registration of these chapters should be arranged locally as non-profit organizations which are enabled to sign training contracts, accept grants, and receive financial assistance for raising funds etc.

2. Organizing seminars and workshops. National chapters may organize national and regional conferences and workshops on PIM to familiarize policy-makers, planners, experts, irrigation managers and water users about its usefulness. Documentaries on PIM success stories from different countries may be shown to the participants. These seminars and conferences will provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and views regarding PIM and will clear doubts and remove any misunderstandings.

3. Newsletters and other materials. Printed materials like newsletters, leaflets, pamphlets and brochures pertaining to PIM are effective ways to communicate with the various stakeholders of irrigation management. National chapters may be motivated and are encouraged to publish a bi-lingual (English and local language) newsletter.

4. Volunteer activities. National chapters can initiate volunteer training programs aimed at familiarizing and motivating water users with the concept of participatory irrigation management. INPIM members would be encouraged to spare some time at least once a year at no cost to provide training to water users, contribute articles in the press, give radio/television talks, etc. All these activities should be carried out on a volunteer basis to promote PIM.

5. Building the capacity of national chapters. Training should be provided for the persons in charge of INPIM national chapters, both to help them operate the organization itself and to provide skills for conveying the concept of PIM to policy makers and farmers. INPIM chapters should develop their own training programs aimed at providing necessary skills for irrigation managers, executors and farmers. To reinforce the capacity of local chapters, it is proposed that existing INPIM training programs be reviewed to address the specific training requirements.

6. Mass communication programs. The mass media can be utilized through TV and radio talk shows to highlight the objectives and significance of INPIM activities. Field days, fairs, and exhibitions should be organized in remote areas to familiarize the farming community with the PIM concept. Documentary films, slides, and posters can serve as another mode of information dissemination on such occasions. These activities not only heighten awareness about INPIM but they also accelerate the INPIM membership drive which will ultimately strengthen local INPIM chapters.

7. Fund raising. At present, the sole source of funds for local INPIM chapters comes from the collection of membership fees. To further strengthen INPIM chapters it is crucial that national chapters conduct fundraising activities targeting local as well as international agencies and donor organizations.

Headquarters has a Role too...

INPIM chapters need to work hand in hand with INPIM headquarters. The main functions of the headquarters office should be:

i) to assist and facilitate the national chapters in writing their by-laws and registering the chapter as a legal entity and to provide administrative training for INPIM office bearers;

ii) to disseminate best practices through the newsletter, brochures, pamphlets etc.;

iii) to continue organizing international seminars and workshops (These seminars are useful for sharing the PIM experience and refining and improving upon the international strategy for introducing the PIM approach.);

iv) to strengthen the INPIM scholars program to facilitate the exchange of experts;

v) to launch a campaign encouraging international donors and financial institutions to involve local INPIM chapters in the planning and execution of irrigation projects that involve PIM;

vi) to conduct international training of trainers seminars to prepare a coterie of trainers that will assist in the local capacity building process for PIM; and

vii) to monitor the local national chapter activities and help rectify any problems that arise.

In short, headquarters should act as the coordinating arm of INPIM, while simultaneously assisting in the planning and execution of local chapter activities. Headquarters and national chapters must be in constant coordination with the goal of strengthening the local chapters and making their role more pronounced, visible and effective.

By Mushtaq Gill,
INPIM Board Member, Pakistan

Mushtaq Gill|
Agriculture Department
21-Davis Road
Lahore, Pakistan
tel: (94-2)636-6159
fax: (94-2) 522-1217
ofwm@lhr.comsats.net.pk