Irrigation and associated infrastructure design, implementation, and maintenance are key to improving access to water for irrigation and improved agricultural outcomes. Maintenance over the medium and long term should be more addressed as part of design. Specifically, the evaluation found (1) that more durable materials were needed for access routes and drainage. Clogged drains lead to flooding, uneven circulation of water, and illegal syphoning of water. Flooded access routes make it difficult to access irrigation infrastructure; and (2) missing canal gates on rice plots prevent water user associations (WUAs) from cutting access to farmers who do not make payments.
Lesson Learned