The design of future irrigation rehabilitation projects can build on the project’s community empowerment model but also consider options for increasing beneficiary contributions for water use. The project increased community ownership and management of irrigation infrastructure through resourcing and strengthening the participation of women and their roles in the water user cooperative societies (WUCSs). Despite gains in irrigation fee collection, the WUCSs and infrastructure O&M requirements are not yet financially sustainable without significant government inputs. The design of future irrigation rehabilitation projects can build on the project’s community empowerment model but also consider options for increasing beneficiary contributions for water use.
Karnataka Integrated and Sustainable Water Resources Management Investment Program - Project 1