Journal
IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE
Volume 71, Issue 2, Pages 394-405Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/ird.2659
Keywords
KwaZulu-Natal; perceptions of governance; principal components analysis; smallholder irrigation schemes
Categories
Funding
- Water Research Commission [K5/2556/4, K5]
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This study explores farmers' perceptions on irrigation scheme governance and highlights the importance of informal institutions in policy formulation. It suggests empowering farmers through training, increasing awareness of formal institutions applicable to their irrigation scheme, and strengthening stakeholder engagement in the schemes.
Good governance is a prerequisite for better management of common-use resources. Awareness of institutions, inclusion of members in decision-making processes, stakeholder engagement and transparency are needed for good governance, which enhances the sustainable use of communal water resources. This paper therefore considers perceptions of farmers on irrigation scheme governance in its various dimensions. The study uses household data of 341 farmers drawn from four irrigation schemes in KwaZulu-Natal. The results show that farmers who are satisfied with the informal institutions, being the rules and norms set locally to govern the scheme farmers, value the involvement of the tribal authorities in scheme management, including their contribution to rule enforcement. Age, agricultural training, water adequacy, participation in scheme activities, psychological capital and land tenure have a positive effect on perceptions of governance constructs. Farmers are satisfied with the informal institutions governing the schemes and therefore the study recommends the inclusion of informal institutions in policy formulation. Farmers should be empowered through training and be made aware of formal institutions applicable to their irrigation scheme, and stakeholder engagement in the schemes should be strengthened.
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