Holistic Approach to Irrigation Management in Developing Countries

Abstract

The sound development of irrigation and drainage enterprises in developing countries is a continuing need to reduce hunger, environmental degradation, and population growth, and to promote political stability and international trade. The disappointing results of many projects have been caused by a fragmentary rather than holistic approach to management. While advanced technologies can help, improved management, making use of already‐known technologies, is of far greater importance. A holistic approach should include application of management principles to improve interagency coordination; adopt performance incentives for staff and individual irrigators; use indigenous knowledge; and secure effective local participation for concurrent corollary activities including supply of inputs, agricultural extension, processing and marketing, farm credit, and operation and maintenance of the distribution system (mainly the lower portions serving individual farmers or blocks of farmers). International and bilateral agencies should collaborate more closely than heretofore and should encourage the use of holistic approaches including policy changes concerning water charges, crop supports, import and export taxes, and coordination of indigenous agencies.