China fast pace of reforms

China, one of the largest irrigation countries in the world, is closely monitoring many reform models on irrigation management. Under the current practice in China, works at the upper end of irrigation systems (above lateral level) are managed by the state's specialized body--the Irrigation District Administration Bureau and its branches--station, and sub-stations. Works at the lower end (on or below the lateral level) are managed by people or users in accordance with the administrative structure. 

In many cases in northern China these laterals are consistent with administrative villages. One administrative village may have 2-3 natural villages. The village chief or his deputy as lateral chief is somehow selected by the consensus of the people. The lateral chief , assisted by 1-2 ditch riders, is in-charge of the lower irrigation management activities. In addition, there are various levels of irrigation management committees which are comprised of representatives from the irrigation bureau, government branch, and farmers. The committees may help solve serious management problems and conflicts, including water fees collections, water allocation, system maintenance, etc.

Existing Problems: Under the current practice there exist three major problems. First, at the upper structure management level, there are more staff than needed and too little income from water fees than is required for proper O&M of the system. As a result, the system has been rapidly deteriorating. Second, at the lower structure management level, there is too much influence from the administration, and too many other charges added in the name of water fees. As a result farmers participation has been limited. Third, the concepts of property rights and responsibilities of maintenance remain unclear. Farmers thought the property rights of the lateral canals belong to the government and therefore the government should be responsible to maintain them. The government on the other hand, considers the case differently. As a result, the laterals has been poorly maintained and lots of water has been wasted. 

Reform Pilots: In order to improve the above-mentioned problems, four major models on irrigation management reforms are worthy to note in China as a whole:

(a) Water Users Associations (WUAs): Major pilot schemes has been established in World Bank-assisted Hubei-Hunam province since 1996. It is also called SIDD-- Self-financing Irrigation & Drainage Districts. Recently, Hubei Provincial Government has planned to expand the scheme to cover a large part of irrigation areas in the province.

(b) Stock-sharing irrigation companies: This model has developed rapidly in Shandong province. In Qi-shui County, for instance, a company has bought an old, poorly-maintained irrigation system and improved its structures and management. At present the company is serving about 1500 ha of land with a reservoir. The company's stock is shared by the county government, farmers, and the private sector.

(c) Modification of the existing Irrigation Management Committees (IMCs): In many irrigation districts the irrigation management committees are close to the structure of WUAs. Accordingly, the Zhejin Irrigation District of Hebei province is developing a large WUA at Choichun based on an existing IMC. It promises to serve about 2000 ha of farmland in eight natural villages. 

(d) Irrigation Corporations: Du-Jing-Yen, the largest and oldest irrigation district in the Szechuan Province, is to be incorporated into an autonomous entity which will directly manage the province's water resources, serving an area of about 300,000 ha. 

So, which model is best for China? The answer is not clear. While the government does have a policy to encourage private investment and management of the small and isolated schemes, there are no official policy guidelines from MWR on irrigation management reforms for the large irrigation districts. According to MWR, China is a large country with a variety of natural and cultural conditions. Thus, the government prefers to have a few practical models instead of a single model, so that each region can have flexibility and choices to better fit its local conditions.

- Peter Sun, Executive Secretary of INPIM