From water committees to emergence water users association: case study of Mohlapitsi Irrigation Schemes in Mafefe Ward

Abstract

The current research is based on several months of action research process within the rural community involved in transforming its current management of small-scale irrigation schemes. Mohlapitsi irrigation schemes used to have water committees but they were very ineffective and poorly managed. The overall objective of the action research process was to support the community members to establish a Water Users Association (WUA) for Mohlapitsi irrigation schemes in Mafefe Ward covering three traditional schemes (Mashushu, Mantlhane and Fertilis) based on their respective existing water committees. Factors of success and constraints in establishing this new water management institution were to be identified in the process. The action research process was facilitated by the researcher who resided on site, in collaboration with the extension officer. Her participation in all events, formal and informal, linked to the emergence of the association was instrumental. A three step process was followed: 1. An institutional introduction with sensitisation meetings with local leaders and organizations of mass meetings for all scheme members to identify the institutional challenge posed by the new policy; 2. The identification of existing water committees and practices through visits and interviews. Water committees selected representatives to drive up the emerging process and report back to them. Water committees also discussed and drafted bye-laws based on concrete operational rules that were validated by representatives at the association level. 3. The Water Users Association emerging process supporting the core team of representatives through drafting the constitution and public meetings with all water users for feedback were organized. On the results, the group of farmer’s representatives and water committees themselves through their experience discussed questions and suggestions concerning the roles played by water committees. Members iii of schemes were expecting different roles from existing water committees. For example: to ensure cohesiveness (to ensure unity and teamwork). Conditions favouring evolvement of water committees into Water Users Associations were enlisted. For example: Must meet regularly and communicate with each other. The core team of representatives and farmers themselves drafted the bye-laws and a constitution of the schemes. In Ga-Mampa area, there has been a strong willingness of the local organizations to form a WUA. This could be seen by the willingness to respect new rules and changes that were introduced during the process. However due to changes in the government intervention, the association could not be registered. It is recommended that Government allows a clear registration process to take place regardless of its own intervention programme. Leaders in steering committees should be made aware of what is expected from them. Extension officers need to be trained on how to support a group to draft their bye-laws and be familiarized with various models of constitution. Government should hold workshops to firstly identify the current roles played by water committees in their irrigation schemes and to assist them to transform their current practices into an institutionalised body.