Small-scale Irrigation Systems in an IWRM Context: The Ayuquila-Armeria Basin Commission Experience

摘要

Small-scale irrigation systems, known locally as Irrigation Units, are the weakest component in water regulation and information reliability, notwithstanding that they account for an estimated 40% of nationwide water consumption. The role of Irrigation Units, within an Integrated Water Resource Management context, is analyzed through a practical case in the Ayuquila-Armeria Basin Commission. In this basin, located in southern central Mexico, a diagnostic and an update of the inventory for surface water Irrigation Units were conducted in nine municipalities, covering 28% of the basin area. Given the absence of an institutional overview, water regulation and reliable information on the small-scale irrigation systems, it is argued that the basin councils are unable to perform an integrated water management.