2017 年 8 巻 2 号 p. 64-69
A stable supply of irrigation water is essential to ensure agricultural productivity in arid regions. To efficiently use the limited water resources, upgrading of hard infrastructure, such as reducing leakage from channels and installing drip irrigation, and of soft infrastructure, such as introducing irrigation management involving local farmers, is being pursued. This study reviewed the rationality of participatory irrigation management (PIM) in Turpan, Xinjian, China. Turpan depends for its irrigation water on streams, pumped groundwater, and karez (qanat). PIM mainly involves management of irrigation water supplied from streams. Between 2013 and 2015, interviews with Turpan City’s Water Management Agency (WMA) branch office staff, PIM staff, and local farmers were conducted to collect information on water management. The findings showed that the founding of PIM organization resulted in the following benefits: (i) reduction of governing agency’s burden: PIM is now in charge of work that used to be performed directly by staff of the WMA branch office (ii) Prevention of illegal practices: PIM staff are elected from among local farmers, so there is a system of mutual surveillance. (iii) Smoother implementation of water management: Previously, there were conflicts between local farmers and staff from other regions, who were unaware of the local situation. Since establishment of the PIM, local farmers have taken charge of the water management, which facilitated communication between the water administrator and farmers. (iv) Enhanced interest in water conservation: Because farmers now directly manage their water distribution and maintain their infrastructure, they are more aware of the importance of conserving water. Regarding the disadvantages, during seasons with a risk of drought, water management requires operations 24 h a day and there are many housekeeping issues, so labor shortages are a problem. This latter issue occurred because the main source of finance is from water fees, which are set by a governmental agency. As a result, the PIM team could not secure a sufficient budget to hire more staff.
