Evaluates the turnover of two formerly government-managed irrigation districts in Colombia to the water users’ associations. Impacts are analyzed in terms of the cost of irrigation to farmers and the government, the quality of water distribution, the sustainability of irrigation, the productivity of agriculture, and farmer income.

There is a significant gap of knowledge about actual results of irrigation management transfer. This includes the questions: Which strategies work? Which don't? and What prerequisites are necesssary to support sustainable local management of irrigation? This report examines the context of transfer, the basic transfer strategy, powers and functions devolved, and the impacts of transfer on irrigation management and irrigated agriculture in three sample irrigation districts of Colombia-the RUT, Rio Recio, and Samaca. data on performance of these schemes were analyzed for 4 or 5 years before and after transfer. Two additional schemes, San Rafael and Maria La Baja, which were transferred just prior to this study, provided a comparison of performance between transferred and nontransferred schemes, form the period of analysis.

Describes a streamlined approach to calculating water and salinity balances in three different irrigated areas of Pakistan where salinity is a major problem. Explores the impact of current irrigation and agronomic practices on salinity and suggests corrective measures.

Two Colombian projects show how local farmers can manage an irrigation system in a developing country if the management and personnel are well -trained and motivated and if the infrastructure is in good condition at the time management is turned over to the farmers.

Examines multiple factors in women's involvement/non-involvement in irrigation in the Chhattis Mauja irrigation scheme in Nepal. Includes an empirical analysis of the livelihood strategies of farm households, documentation of the level and nature of participation of women and men in the water users' organizations, analysis of women's access to irrigation services, and an examination of the need and desirability of increasing the participation of woman in the scheme organization.