Water Governance in Irrigated Areas: Models, principles and innovative solutions

4 Pags.The Governance of irrigation water is analysed in this context as the organization of an irrigated area. While there is no clear definition for “irrigated area”, one can assume that it corresponds to the first level of collective organization for water allocation, distribution, application and drainage. Different irrigation projects around the world have resulted in different sizes and degrees of complexity of irrigated areas, but in general they comprise extensions ranging from 10 to 10,000 ha. The fact that the concept is subjected to a range of extension of three orders of magnitude suggests that plenty of managerial, technical and organizational variability is involved. Water governance actually comprises two types of functions: directive and executive. Only in large, well organized districts both functions are clearly separated. In these cases, a Governing Board is responsible for strategic decision making while an Executive Body (a Director and its assistants) is responsible for implementing these strategic decisions and making tactical decisions. A “Terms of Reference” document for the governance structure is required to specify the responsibilities of both bodies. While problems can accumulate at both levels, the Governing Board stands high probability of failure, due to the non-professional nature of its components. These are often respectable local leaders, which frequently find it difficult to follow technical discussions and can only devote a small part of their time to fulfil their responsibilities. The presence of professionals in the Executive Body has often resulted in very good managerial results, since in many areas of the world the liability of irrigation governance structures is growing fast. The fact that small irrigated areas cannot afford hiring professional managers is one of the critical reasons for their typical low performance.Peer reviewe