STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE OF WATER RESOURCES SCHEMES - AN EXPERIENCE OF MAHARASHTRA STATE, INDIA

摘要

The total surface irrigation potential created in Maharashtra State (India) is about 4.9 Mha,however utilization of irrigation potential has remained between 55 to 60 percent. Reasonsfor underutilization could be attributed to poor system effi ciency, non-participation of usersand inadequate maintenance of irrigation delivery system. As irrigation alone consumes 75 to80% of total water quantum, any saving in its use could result in increased water availabilityfor other sectors or may bring additional area under irrigation. With the pressure of growingpopulation and increasing water scarcity, need for effi cient water use is crucial. ThereforeGovernment of Maharashtra (GoM) had initiated many path-breaking reforms to improveperformance in water sector.GoM had taken policy decision in 2003 to supply irrigation water in bulk on volumetric basisand that too only through Water Users Associations (WUAs). Water use entitlement is providedto WUAs, with freedom of cropping pattern within their entitlement. Adequate legal support toWUAs is being provided through enacting Maharashtra Management of Irrigation System byFarmers (MMISF) Act 2005.