Book / Monograph

Farmer participation in rehabilitation of NIRP schemes: Farmers' perspective - Proceedings of the Workshop on Farmer Participation in Rehabilitation of NIRP Schemes: Farmers' Perspective held in Galgamuwa, Sri Lanka on February 25, 1995

author(s) Weerawardena, I.K. - Upasena, W.J.J. - Haq, K.A.
from International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
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themes
regions
  • South-Eastern Asia
  • Asia
  • World
  • Southern Asia
citation

Weerawardena, I. K.; Upasena, W. J. J.; Haq, K. A. (Eds.) 1996. Farmer participation in rehabilitation of NIRP schemes: Farmers' perspective - Proceedings of the Workshop on Farmer Participation in Rehabilitation of NIRP Schemes: Farmers' Perspective held in Galgamuwa, Sri Lanka on February 25, 1995. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI). SLNP; Sri Lanka, Irrigation Department. IRMU. xi, 23p.

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Abstract

Experiences from past rehabilitation projects have indicated that without effective farmer participation in the rehabilitation process, it is extremely difficult to achieve cost effective and quality rehabilitation. This led the National Irritation Rehabilitation Project (NIRP) to mandate farmer participation in planning, design and implementation of rehabilitation projects with the ultimate objective of handing over operation and maintenance (O&M) responsibilities of rehabilitated schemes to FOs.Late in 1993, the Irrigation Research Management Unit (IRMU) carried out a rapid rural appraisal (RRA) of five NIRP schemes to evaluate the effectiveness of farmer participation. Results were presented in the workshop in October, 1994. At the recommendation of the workshop the study was expanded to cover a significantly larger sample size (20 more schemes) with a view to more thoroughly analyze issues raised. Preliminary results showed that farmers bear wide-ranging views on their participation in rehabilitation and takeover. This situation necessitated the need to consult farmers to draw on their views and opinions, to further strengthen the rehabilitation process being pursued by NI RP.Many workshops and seminars have been held in the past to solicit opinions of experts on the subject including documenting experiences of the agency officials engaged in the implementation of rehabilitation projects. IRMU has taken a step forward by obtaining feedback directly from the farmer leaders on the issues that contribute to further strengthening farmer participation in the rehabilitation and turnover of NIRP schemes.The workshop provided a forum to the farmer leaders to frankly and openly express their opinions and share their experiences. Proceedings of these discussions were meticulously recorded and this report provides the outcome of those discussions.

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