Making use of water users groups. Although their autonomy was short-lived, WUGs functioned well using hydraulic boundaries. Project WUGs had their own bank accounts and stamp and the right to sign contracts. They received training in irrigation planning and management and financial management. Empowered water users became fully committed to the infrastructure that was crucial to their agriculture livelihood. It was acknowledged by the IMCs, the cooperatives, and even by DARDs that some WUGs constructed tertiary irrigation canals more quickly and/or at lower cost than PPMUs. Since cooperatives have absorbed the role of WUGs, they should capitalize on the WUGs’ enhanced capacity to boost PIM. Maximizing the use of the irrigation management knowledge embedded in the WUGs and cooperatives would improve tertiary system management. If cooperatives work closely with the IMCs and IMEs, this would also help define O&M needs and systems.
Central Region Water Resources Project