p. 33-43

Problems and solutions for water user associations in the Gedis Basin

Kiymaz S., Özekici B., Hamdy A.

This study was carried out in Water User Associations (WUAs) in Izmir and Manisa provinces, located in the Gediz Basin in western of Turkey. In this paper, technical, economical, social and training problems faced by WUAs were examined and as a result, practicable suggestions were recommended. 172 farmers from 23 villages from 5 selected WUAs were the participants of this study. The data collected in the study were obtained by a questionnaire from interview among the farmers and the WUAs, field observations, and from members of staff at the irrigation schemes. As a result of the questionnaire, the major problems faced by the farmers and WUAs managers in the region are presented. These problems consist mainly of lack of funds for the rehabilitation of the irrigation schemes and related activities and lack of technical organizational training of farmers and technical staff of WUAs, inadequate qualified personnel, employment insecurity of the personnel, uncertain duty and authority among the WUAs managers and inattentiveness of the farmers to the meetings organized, poor contribution level to protect the schemes, privileged attitudes of the WUAs' chairman's and insufficient administration management skills. The identified problems shows that the WUAs managers and the farmers have to assume full responsibility for managing and maintaining the irrigation schemes for the sustainability of transferred irrigation schemes. In addition, government could play an essential role through technical guidance to Water User Associations.

Mots-clés    

ASSOCIATION D'AGRICULTEURS, GESTION DES EAUX, IRRIGATION, PARTICIPATION, QUESTIONNAIRE, TURQUIE

Citer cet article    

Kiymaz S., Özekici B., Hamdy A. Problems and solutions for water user associations in the Gedis Basin. In : Lamaddalena N. (ed.), Bogliotti C. (ed.), Todorovic M. (ed.), Scardigno A. (ed.). Water saving in Mediterranean agriculture and future research needs [Vol. 3]. Bari : CIHEAM, 2007. p. 33-43. (Options Méditerranéennes : Série B. Etudes et Recherches; n. 56 Vol.III). Proceedings of the International Conference WASAMED Project (EU contract ICA3-CT-2002-10013), 2007/02/14-17, Valenzano (Italy). http://om.ciheam.org/om/pdf/b56_3/00800202.pdf