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Performance Evaluation of Selected Irrigation Systems in Kerala State, India
Author(s) -
Madhava Chandran K.,
Joseph E. J.,
Sushanth C. M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
irrigation and drainage
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1531-0361
pISSN - 1531-0353
DOI - 10.1002/ird.2012
Subject(s) - irrigation , irrigation management , business , water resource management , agriculture , irrigation statistics , low flow irrigation systems , accountability , equity (law) , water supply , agricultural science , deficit irrigation , environmental science , geography , environmental engineering , biology , ecology , archaeology , political science , law
An evaluation was carried out in three irrigation systems in Kerala State, India, using performance indicators such as adequacy, timeliness and equity of water supply, accountability of irrigation staff, repair/and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure, Irrigation Service Delivery Index (ISDI) and farmers' participation. Preferences of farmers were assessed regarding institutions to manage water when irrigation management transfer through participatory irrigation management (PIM) is implemented through the projects. Results reveal that farmers do not assign much importance to ‘always adequate’ and ‘timely’ water availability from the irrigation projects. The Malampuzha and Peechi irrigation systems have higher scores than that of Kuttiadi for adequacy, timeliness, equity of water availability, timely repair and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure, accountability of irrigation staff and ISDI. Statistically significant differences were observed between the irrigation systems in terms of the weighted score of farmers' participation in irrigation activities, namely, their contribution of money and labour for the maintenance of irrigation field channels, with Malampuzha having a comparatively high score. Farmers show more trust in their own institution (WUA) for water management, if it is not possible for the Irrigation Dept. to ensure at least sometimes an adequate and timely water supply when PIM is implemented. The importance of introducing a volumetric water supply based on crop water requirements under PIM, in order to to motivate farmers to conserve water and facilitate group approaches in farming, is highlighted. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.