Reform in Indian canal irrigation: does technology matter?

Abstract

This paper examines the implications of technology – the design of canal irrigation – for irrigation management reform. With reference to two different design systems in Indian irrigation – shejpali and warabandi – it shows that the potential for reform varies with the design of canal irrigation. Three approaches to canal irrigation reform are discussed – pricing, market creation and irrigation management transfer. The paper argues that academics and policy-makers need to be conscious of the implications of design for irrigation reform proposals. This calls for a move away from conventional approaches to irrigation management reform to a more inter-disciplinary perspective in which discussions on technology have been mainstreamed.

Keywords:

• irrigation reform
• market creation
• governance
• India
• protective irrigation

Acknowledgements

This paper is based on the author's doctoral research work at the Departments of Irrigation and Water Engineering and Law and Governance at Wageningen University, the Netherlands. The author thanks Peter Mollinga, Linden Vincent, Franz von Benda Beckmann and Gopal Naik for their support and guidance at different stages of research. Thanks are also expressed to the Ford Foundation for financial support provided.