Mainstreaming rural poor in water resources management: preliminary lessons of a bottom‐up WUA development approach in Central Asia

Abstract

Abstract This paper draws upon experiences in Central Asia with irrigation management transfer arising from a development project currently underway in the Fergana Valley of Central Asia. One of the main features of the project is that it gives much attention to social mobilization in order to bring required water management change and get those at the grassroots duly organized, educated and empowered to truly self‐own and manage their community‐based organization. The paper, through analysis of users' perception before and after the mobilization, documents the changes in, attitudes and knowledge of, and the performance of water users' associations through, users' perspectives. Though no major breakthroughs have been found so far in the quality of irrigation and drainage services provided, there are clear indications that increased grassroots knowledge and awareness about water and irrigation management through intensive mobilization, regular involvement and exposure of the entire water user community to WUA management, planning and operation matters and decision‐making do have a positive bearing on their attitudes, behaviours, capacities and skills, adding considerably to their overall social capital and thus enhancing their chance for a better livelihood. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.