The document summarizes the participatory irrigation management of the Waghod Irrigation Project in Maharashtra, India. It describes how forming water user associations improved water distribution and agricultural productivity. Water entitlements were established, water use became more efficient, and crop yields and farmer incomes increased. Community management of irrigation infrastructure through local water user associations enhanced water security, equitable access, and the sustainable management of water resources for the region.

1. IMPROVING PERFORMANCE OF
IRRIGATION PROJECT THROUGH
PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT –
A CASE STUDY OF WAGHAD IRRIGATION PROJECT,
MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
Dr. Sanjay Belsare
Executive Engineer,
Palkhed Irrigation Division,
Water Resources Department,
Govt. of Maharashtra,
India

2. MAHARASHTRA WATER SECTOR
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (M.W.S.I.P.)

3. WAGHAD MEDIUM PROJECT,
NASHIK

4. INDEX PLAN

5. SALIENT FEATURES OF
WAGHAD IRRIGATION PROJECT
Type of Dam : Earthen Dam with Masonry Spillway
Maximum Height of Dam : 47 M
Live Storage : 72.20 M.Cum. (2550 Mcft.)
Year of Commissioning : 1980-81
Length of Main Canal : R.B.C. 45 Km (5100 Ha.)
: L.B.C. 15 Km (1650 Ha.)
Culturable Command Area : 9642 Ha.
Irrigable Command Area : 6750 Ha.
Average Annual Rainfall : 750 mm.
Main Crops : Grapes, Flowers Onion, Vegetable,
G.Nut, Wheat, Gram, Jowar, Paddy.
No. of Farmers : 15926
Average Land Holding : 0.50 to 1.00 Ha.
Total No.of WUA : 24 Nos. ( 20 on WRBC & 4 On WLBC)

6. PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION
MANAGEMENT (PIM)
• FUNCTIONS OF WATER USERS ASSOCIATIONS
• Equitable distribution of water amongst its members
• Operation & Maintenance of Canal System
• Collection of Water Charges
• Resolve Dispute amongst Members
• Representing Interest of Farmers & Coordinating with Government
Departments
• BENEFITS TO FARMERS
• Water Entitlement
• Assured Supply of Water
• Freedom of Cropping Pattern
• Conjunctive Use

7. PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION
MANAGEMENT (PIM)
• BENEFITS TO SYSTEM
• Sense of Ownership of Irrigation System among Farmers
• Efficient Use of water
• Sustainable Management of Water Resources
• Saving in Operation & Maintenance Cost

8. HISTORY OF WUAs ON WAGHAD PROJECT
• Commissioning of Project : 1980-81
• Formation of WUAs (Pilot Status) : 1991
• Irrigation Management Transfer to PLA : 2005
• WUAs are Reconstituted as per MMISF Act : 2006
24
10000 No. of WUAs
19
Area coverage (ha)
15 17
8000
6000
9
4000
3 4
2000
0
1991 1993 1995 1997 2001 2002 2004

9. ACHIEVEMENTS (Before & After Formation of
WUAs)
Before Formation After transfer of
Sr.
Description of Federation of management to WUAs
No.
WUAs (1980-90) Project Level (2005-08)
1 Average Area Irrigated in Hectare 3212 9139
2 Mode of Water Supply Area Basis Volumetric Basis
Average Water charges Recovery in
3 0.3 Million 2.2 Million
Rs.
60 %
Average Percentage of Recovery of (of the water billed
4 100 %
Water Charges for the actual
irrigated area)
36 % Kharif,
5 Crop pattern 64 % Rabbi, Crop Freedom
0 % H.W
Transparent &
6 Water Entitlement No Entitlement Enforceable Water
Entitlement for WUAs
Water saving due to efficient water
7 - 30 %
management

10. IMPACT OF WUA
• Project Commissioned in 1980-81
• Project Status Up to 1991:
-- 3 WUA were established at the tail i.e. Jay Yogeshwar, Banganga,
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
– Potential Utilisation:
For 3 WUAs of Tail - 10 %
For Total Project - 18 %
• Project Status 1991 Onwards:
-- Assured Water Quota (Water Entitlement)
– Freedom for Cropping
Year Status for 3 WUAs of Status for Waghad Project
Tail Area
Irrigated Grape Area ICA Irrigated Area Grape Area
Area (Ha) (Ha) (Ha) (Ha)(Including Wells) (Ha)
1991-92 119 6 3212 340
(Before
Formation 6750
of WUA)
2006-07 1143 307 9139 3700

11. IMPACT ON INCOME, POVERTY &
GROWTH OF WUA
• Before formation of WUAs traditional crops were grown i.e. Rice, Bajra,
Jowar, Wheat, Gram etc
• After formation of WUAs high value crops were grown i.e. Grapes,
Vegetables, Flowers, etc
• Earlier labours used to migrate, now there is labour employment round
the year
Year Average Income / ha./year Average Income / ha./year
in Command outside Command
1991-92 Rs. 25000 Rs. 4000
2006-07 Rs. 1,05,000 Rs. 15000

12. IMPACT ON WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND
EQUITY OF WUA
• Earlier traditional crops were grown with the help of Flood irrigation
methods
• Now the modern methods of irrigation are used i.e. Drip irrigation,
Sprinkler irrigation for growth of cash crops i.e. Grapes, Sugarcane,
Flowers, etc
• Every WUA / farmer is getting his share of water
• Regulator reports to MWRRA about the actual delivery of water
against water entitlement
• Farmers have become confident and are now trying new techniques,
ideas, materials and crops. PLWUA has now registered Waghad
Agricultural Producer Company (WAPCO) to market & process
agricultural produce of farmers.

13. • Waghad PLWUA has hosted their own website
www.waghadproject.org to raise awareness and promote PIM.
• Waghad Irrigation project has been receiving National Productivity
Award of the Govt. of India since last five years.
• PLWUA have entered into a Tri - Party agreement with Agriculture
Dept & Gargi Educational Institute to improve agricultural
productivity & income Contract Farming.

14. DIGNITARIES COMMENTS
Mr. John Briscoe, Country Director,
World Bank
Ms. Constance Barnard, Director,
Sustainable Development,
World Bank
Congratulations to the WUAs for
I am very impressed by the all its achievements. It is good
work the farmers in your area are doing. To see how people can improve their lives
The PLA is a very important institution
& their children's future through hard work
which has made a good start.

15. PHOTO GALLERY
Photographs Showing Ongoing
Rehabilitation Work of Waghad Project

16. Ongoing Rehabilitation Work of Waghad
Right & Left Bank Canal
View of Waghad R.B.C. View of Waghad R.B.C.
from Dam Top before work from Dam Top after work

17. Photographs Showing Ongoing Rehabilitation
Work of WUA Works of Waghad Project Under
MWSIP
Photographs Showing Rehabilitation Work of Minor No.5 of
WRBC (Under Ganesh WUA Dindori)

18. Photographs Showing Ongoing Construction
Work of WUA Office Buildings Under
MWSIP

19. Photographs Showing Visit of
Mr. John Briscoe,
Country Director, Brazil
Dated 04/02/08
19

20. Photos showing grape fields of waghad project

21. Photograph of Handing Over Agreement to Federation of WUA of
Waghad in Presence of Chief Minister of Maharashtra & Country
Director of World Bank, Dated 24 November 2005.

22. THANK YOU
www.palkhedirrigation.org
www.waghadproject.org