FARMERS ACCESS TO IRRIGATION WATER AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON WATERCOURSES (A CASE OF WARSAK LIFT CANAL SYSTEM)

The study was designed in the two selected villages of Regi (at the head) and Telaband (at the tail) of the Warsak Lift Canal System to explore farmers access to irrigation water at various locations on watercourses during 2002. Thirty water users 10 each at the head, middle and tail of a watercourse in each village were studied through personal interviews. The secondary data were collected on different aspects of the two selected villages. The canal worked satisfactory for about 10 years. Then wear and tear of pumps, frequent power break down started disturbing its working. These shortcomings are now being removed by Irrigation Department. Several important studies were reviewed on the problem. It was found that the conveyance losses ranged from 50 to 60%. It was considered necessary to improve the existing irrigation system management through several measures. Field investigation revealed that the irrigation system operation was not just and suitable in its distribution and reliability. The water users in the tail village suffered more and experienced crop losses to the extent of three-fourth of the crops production. All the operational problems were related to the un-reliability and inequity of irrigation water distribution. Similarly the irrigation system maintenance was very poor. Farmers did not know the latest water management techniques at their farms. In most cases the maintenance work done was to some level of satisfaction. The concept of precision land leveling was very limited. The functioning of water users associations was very poor. Majority of the water users were not satisfied at all with their working. The association did not hold regular meetings and did not function along democratic lines