Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa

Building on existing literature and the analysis of a portfolio of development projects (past and under implementation), this paper reviews the evolution of water user associations (WUAs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), reflecting on the conceptualization of how they operate, and the promised outcomes...

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Main Authors: Aarnoudse, E., Closas, Alvar, Lefore, Nicole
Format: Artículo preliminar
Language:Inglés
Published: International Water Management Institute 2018
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96114
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author Aarnoudse, E.
Closas, Alvar
Lefore, Nicole
author_browse Aarnoudse, E.
Closas, Alvar
Lefore, Nicole
author_facet Aarnoudse, E.
Closas, Alvar
Lefore, Nicole
author_sort Aarnoudse, E.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Building on existing literature and the analysis of a portfolio of development projects (past and under implementation), this paper reviews the evolution of water user associations (WUAs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), reflecting on the conceptualization of how they operate, and the promised outcomes related to irrigation development, and the efficient and effective delivery of irrigation services. It also moves one step further from existing studies on WUAs, postulating that additional reflection is needed to understand the limitations of WUAs and proposes alternative, viable and context-based adapted models. This need is particularly strong in SSA where irrigation is incipient, and governments and donors are still consolidating their development approaches. Whereas a growing body of international literature takes into account the sociopolitical context of decentralized irrigation management, practical indication on what remains to be done to address the various limitations found in SSA stays meagre and scattered. The objective of this paper is not to challenge the myth of WUAs but to learn how to better deliver on the promised outcomes. The underlying message is that, if the SSA region is to be made water and food secure while respecting resource sustainability, community development, livelihoods and equality of resource access, the recurrent templates for WUA management and governance need to be revisited and adapted to local needs.
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spelling CGSpace961142025-11-07T08:41:26Z Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa Aarnoudse, E. Closas, Alvar Lefore, Nicole water user associations water management water security water distribution surface water community development irrigation schemes groundwater public-private cooperation water policy stakeholders water governance decision making investment food security cost recovery public participation socioeconomic environment alternative methods agricultural productivity public authorities irrigation systems partnerships Building on existing literature and the analysis of a portfolio of development projects (past and under implementation), this paper reviews the evolution of water user associations (WUAs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), reflecting on the conceptualization of how they operate, and the promised outcomes related to irrigation development, and the efficient and effective delivery of irrigation services. It also moves one step further from existing studies on WUAs, postulating that additional reflection is needed to understand the limitations of WUAs and proposes alternative, viable and context-based adapted models. This need is particularly strong in SSA where irrigation is incipient, and governments and donors are still consolidating their development approaches. Whereas a growing body of international literature takes into account the sociopolitical context of decentralized irrigation management, practical indication on what remains to be done to address the various limitations found in SSA stays meagre and scattered. The objective of this paper is not to challenge the myth of WUAs but to learn how to better deliver on the promised outcomes. The underlying message is that, if the SSA region is to be made water and food secure while respecting resource sustainability, community development, livelihoods and equality of resource access, the recurrent templates for WUA management and governance need to be revisited and adapted to local needs. 2018 2018-07-12T03:47:48Z 2018-07-12T03:47:48Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96114 en Open Access application/pdf International Water Management Institute Aarnoudse, E.; Closas, Alvar; Lefore, Nicole. 2018. Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI).. 43p. (IWMI Working Paper 180) doi: 10.5337/2018.210
spellingShingle water user associations
water management
water security
water distribution
surface water
community development
irrigation schemes
groundwater
public-private cooperation
water policy
stakeholders
water governance
decision making
investment
food security
cost recovery
public participation
socioeconomic environment
alternative methods
agricultural productivity
public authorities
irrigation systems
partnerships
Aarnoudse, E.
Closas, Alvar
Lefore, Nicole
Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa
title Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa
title_full Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa
title_fullStr Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa
title_full_unstemmed Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa
title_short Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa
title_sort water user associations a review of approaches and alternative management options for sub saharan africa
topic water user associations
water management
water security
water distribution
surface water
community development
irrigation schemes
groundwater
public-private cooperation
water policy
stakeholders
water governance
decision making
investment
food security
cost recovery
public participation
socioeconomic environment
alternative methods
agricultural productivity
public authorities
irrigation systems
partnerships
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96114
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