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Sustaining small scale irrigation systems: the role of users

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  • Akuriba, M.
  • Haagsma, R.
  • Heerink, N.
  • Dittoh, S.

Abstract

Small-scale irrigation schemes constructed for poverty reduction in developing countries are mostly managed by Water User Associations (WUAs). Users contributions in terms of labour towards resource maintenance is critical in sustaining the schemes. The amount of labour contributed depends on many factors, including users perceptions of the governance of WUAs and users willingness to cooperate in collective activities. In this paper we assess the effects of users governance perceptions and cooperativeness on maintenance contributions in northern Ghana. We use household survey data to create indicators of six governance dimensions, and estimate user s cooperativeness through lab-in-the-field experiments. OLS and Tobit regressions are used to respectively assess determinants of labour contributions and cooperativeness. We find that positive governance perceptions and cooperativeness generally affect labour contributions positively. Specifically, perceptions of transparency & cooperation affect labour contributions directly; and accountability and sustainable use both influence labour contributions directly and indirectly as mediated by the cooperativeness of users. Conflict management however has a negative impact on cooperativeness, and through that on labour contributions. We conclude that although better governance perceptions generally influence labour contributions to the maintenance of irrigation schemes positively, different dimensions differ in their direct as well as indirect contributions. Acknowledgement :

Suggested Citation

  • Akuriba, M. & Haagsma, R. & Heerink, N. & Dittoh, S., 2018. "Sustaining small scale irrigation systems: the role of users," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277280, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iaae18:277280
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.277280
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