Rajan Binayek PasaKhattri, Aasha2026-05-222026-05-222025https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14540/26808Nepal is an agrarian country where agriculture is vital to rural livelihoods, employment, and the national economy. Irrigation is essential among other inputs to boost agricultural development and productivity. Only about 40 percent of Nepal's agricultural land is irrigated at present, underscoring the need for further investment in building new irrigation infrastructure and maintaining existing systems. The Ikudha Irrigation Sub-project (IISP), with a history spanning over a century, has been traditionally established and operated by local farmers. It is situated in wards 3, 4, and 14 of Godawari municipality. The IISP provides irrigation facilities to 70 hectares of farmland and benefits to over 500 families. Its water source is the perennial, springfed Godawari River, originating from the nearby Godawari hill range. The government of Nepal and the Asian Development have periodically investedin modernizing and improving its operating mechanism management. This study aims to evaluate the relevancy, efficiency, effectiveness, impact,and sustainability of IISP and its role in agricultural development. This study used a case study research design in which required data were collected from 69 households (out of a total of 268 households of ward no.14) by using the household survey. The study also used Focus Group Discussions (n=3) and Key Informant Interview (n=7) techniques for collecting narrative information from the participants. Besides, the changes in the watershed and irrigation command areas were mapped using Arc GIS software through an analysis of Google Earth imagery. The study found that IISP becoming relevant to increasing agricultural production. The operating mechanism also has been performing efficiently and effectively in increasing agriculture production and productivity. The irrigation facility also impacted positively in increasing family income, health, and hygiene as well as education life span and other amenities. However, due to the diversification of family income sources, the overall positive impact on farm-based livelihood has decreased to date compared to the past. The study also found that land use changes have occurred across the municipality, including the Godawari watershed and IISP command areas. With the significant increase in land prices, the conversion rate of agricultural land to built-up areas has increased dramatically. The flow of sewage and waste into the canals, sedimentation, and encroachment activities have challenged the sustainability of the irrigation system. Maintaining the head works, main canal, branch canals, and field channels is critical to ensuring efficient water flow and minimizing seepage. Finally, the study concludes that the operating mechanism of the IISP is performing satisfactorily. It has used both traditional and modern practices to maintain its relevancy and provide efficient services which is becoming effective and impactful for promoting agriculture production. However, from the sustainability point of view, there is a disconnect between protecting agricultural land and expanding irrigation facilities. Therefore, the provincial government and local government need to provide technical and financial support to develop and implement standard norms and regulations for the sustainability of IISP.en-USNational economylivelihoodsThesis