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| Title |  |
Benefits and second generation problems of
irrigation management transfer in Mexico. (38 pages) |
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| Author | Enrique Palacios V. | |||
| Organisation | Economic Development Institute, now part of the World Bank Institute. | |||
| Year | 1998 | |||
| Summary/ Introduction |
Mexico has served as a
model for other countries considering irrigation
management transfer programs. The transfer program there
began in 1988 following a set of sweeping economic
reforms which were introduced beginning in 1986. A
powerful new water resources agency, the National Water
Commission (CNA), was created in 1989 and a new water law
enacted in 1992 and its resolution were approved by
Congress in early 1994. By the end of 1996, 87 percent of
the area under medium and large scale irrigation
districts in the country had been transferred to users
associations to manage. CNA had the lead responsibility for carrying out the transfers of management responsibility. They held extensive preliminary meetings with both ejitarios and small landowners touting better and more responsive service and greater efficiency before the user associations were formed. They also promised government assistance with system rehabilitation and equipment purchases, promises which were only partially kept. Because of tensions between ejitarios and small landowners, an arrangement was worked out whereby a representative of one group served as the president of the board of directors of the association, while the post of treasurer was filled by a representative of the other group. These posts alternate between groups at every election. A general assembly, usually made up of all small landowners and representatives of the various ejidos involved, elects the board of directors. The capability and energy of the directors selected by the general assembly has been a critical determinant of association effectiveness and sustainability. Federations of users associations are being established at the whole system, or district, level to manage the main system. A representative nation-wide federation has also been established to represent irrigator’s interests. In a farmer opinion survey, about 4 farmers out of 5 indicated the belief that irrigation service and maintenance had improved since the transfer. Data on water use, however, indicates that, on average, systems are using somewhat more water per unit area after the transfer than before. System are generally in poor condition and in need of rehabilitation. The most dramatic results of transfer have been financial. In the early 1980s, the government was providing about 80 percent of the funds needed for system O&M, Today the figure is about 25%. At the same time, irrigation fees have increased more than four-fold. Many associations are branching out into other economic ventures, including credit provision, joint input purchase, and farm equipment rental to members. Second generation problems are emerging. These include conflicts over water, often with municipalities, due to poorly specified rights; insufficient revenue to support proper O&M; poor accounting and bookkeeping practices; widespread firing and hiring of staff when directors change; nepotism in staff appointments; and the use of director positions as political springboards. Other problems stem from the poor condition of the irrigation infrastructure and the failure of the government to fulfill rehabilitation, and modernization commitments and duplication of effort and poor coordination between associations and CNA. After its downsizing, CNA is top-heavy with managers and directors and requires a thorough reorganization to adjust its structure to its new role. |
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