Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Minister calls for social audit of irrigation systems

Photo: S. Mahinsha

Traditional start: Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran inaugurating a national workshop on ‘Participatory Irrigation Management’, in the city on Tuesday. —

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran has stressed the need for social audit of irrigation systems.

Inaugurating a national workshop on “Participatory Irrigation Management” organised by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) here on Tuesday, he expressed concern over the mismatch between the money spent on irrigation systems and their utility in improving agricultural output.

“Kerala has invested heavily in major and medium irrigation projects which have failed to fulfil their objectives. Some of these projects are incomplete while others are being used for drinking water supply. Fragmentation of landholdings and diversion of agricultural land for construction of buildings are some of the reasons for the limited utility of irrigation systems in the State,” the Minister said.

Mr. Premachandran said participatory irrigation management could play a pivotal role in improving agricultural production in the State. “All over the world, participatory irrigation management is emerging as an instrument for comprehensive water resource management.” Pointing out that many irrigation canals were badly in need of repair, he said local self-govern ment institutions and water users’ associations could be entrusted with their management and maintenance.

The Minister said the government was thinking of amendments to the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act 2003 to legitimise the role of water users’ associations in participatory management of irrigation systems. “The average size of agricultural landholding in Kerala is 0.33 hectares compared to the national average of 1.86 hectares. This increases the relevance of PIM in Kerala,” he said. Mr. Premachandran said the existing mechanism of design, construction, maintenance and operation of irrigation systems had to be replaced by a system of water resource management. “Despite heavy rain, Kerala witnesses acute water scarcity and drought conditions. In this context, monitoring, financing and evaluation of water resources has become imperative.”

The Minister said the government would pursue a policy of promoting minor irrigation projects.

E.P. Yesodharan, executive vice-president, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), presided over the function. Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, K. Jayakumar, Executive Director, CWRDM, M.D. Nandeshwar, scientist George Chackacherry and Chief Engineer, Irrigation, N. Sasi were among those who spoke.

Experts in irrigation and water conservation and management are participating in the two-day workshop.

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