ASSESSING FARMERS’ PERCEPTION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF IRRIGATION AND WATER USERS’ COMMITTEE IN HARE IRRIGATION SCHEME

Abstract

ABSTRACT Irrigation service level can be evaluated from the perspective of the water users based on their qualitative responses on water deliveries. The aim of this study was to assess farmers’ perception on the performance of irrigation and water committee in Hare irrigation scheme. The primary data from sampled beneficiary were collected from household questionnaire survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. These data were analyzed using SPSS. Internal performance was assessed based on farmer perspective by avoiding quantitative data on water delivery. The performance was assessed with three factors i.e. predictability, convenience and tractability. While, water committees performance were assessed based on the factors of water management, O&M, conflict resolution mechanism, institutional arrangements and source of income. The findings of this study showed that, water users’ opinion in internal performance of the scheme was regard to convenience and predictability were found to be bad with 68.9% and 46.2% respectively. While, 50.45% of the sampled farmers of the scheme respond that tractability was average. The performance of water committees were under expected. The study result indicate that the committees were inefficient in water management and exist poor operation and maintenances in the scheme. Conflicts within different reach and between kebeles were observed due to water scarcity, water theft and increment of irrigation users. Water committees was not financially viable. They also lacked clear by-laws: in role, responsibility, authority and accountability of the committee’s members and use