A thesis report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Water Engineering and Management

Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2016

Irrigation network in Pakistan is one of the largest, continuous and interlinking irrigation canal networks in the world and (90%) of agriculture products is benefited from irrigation water supplies. Contribution of agriculture in Gross National Product (G NP) of Pakistan{u2019}s economy is up to 25%. Punjab Irrigation System was developed more than ten decades ago for irrigation intensities 60 to 70% but with agricultural expansions irrigation intensities reached to 120 to 150%. Due to increased water demand and poor management irrigation system started deteriorated and its efficiency declined to 30 - 35% after 1990, it was 83% in 1970. To improve efficiency and making irrigation network sustainable, Punjab government initiated irrigation management transfer (IMT) in 1995 with the assistance of World Bank. This study aims to measure the performance of irrigation management transfer in Punjab, Pakistan. In this empirical research, the performance of irrigation system is compared in different time periods under agency and participatory managements. This can help to figure out the benefits and flaws of both managements and also extend recommendations to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of irrigation system in the province. This research study managed to collect the data from primary and secondary sources to measure the performance indicators. The primary data were collected by conducting interview s and questionnaire survey from farmers and members of FOs. The secondary data were collected from offices PID, PIDA, F Os and AWBs. Later, data were analyzed with descriptive tools. The findings suggest that water service deliveries become worse after irrigation management transfer (IMT). As a result, the farmers become less satisfied with participatory irrigation management (PIM) as compare d to agency management due to increase water theft. Hence, overall it indicates that under the authority of both management systems the performance related to water deliveries seems to be poor. The results indicate that with the passage of time, Abiana (water fee) collection declines under PIM system. Although, there is decline in Abiana, yet the aggregate financial sustainability of PIM seems to be improved as compared to Agency Management due to less difference in Operations and Maintenance (O&M) cost and revenue collection. The farmers are more satisfied with O&M works under PIM but less satisfied with abiana collection process due to poor transparency and biased attitude towards farmers. The research findings reveal that tawan collection and dispute handling has become poorer under PIM due to differences of social status and biradari ( cast) among farmers. These social differences and biased attitude of FOs led farmers towards less satisfaction with PIM as compared to agency in terms of dispute and revenue cases handling. In the lights of research findings, this research suggests an organizational changes and election process reforms in PIM and extensive work on awareness of farmers about their role in participatory management are prerequisite to increase performance of the system and make irrigation management transfer successful in Punjab, Pakistan