Role of Farmer Managed Irrigation System in Rural Livelihood : A Case Study of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project in Durgauli VDC of Kailali District, Nepal

Abstract

Irrigation plays a major role in the developing country like Nepal where almost 80% people are still dependent in agriculture to increase the production and in order to sustain the livelihood of the people. FMIS proves as the milestone for the economic growth of the people and to bring major transformation in the lives of the people. The share of FMIS in the irrigated agriculture is almost 70% in Nepal. To know about the balance water uses for sustaining livelihood and to relate in with available data, a study was carried out in Durgauli VDC of Kailali district. Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project has a great contribution in the complete transformation of the Durgauli VDC. The main objectives of the study is to find out the role of former managed irrigation system in Rural Livelihood. The research tries to access the farmer managed irrigation system use of water for rural livelihood factors influencing participation for the effective management of water and the impact of irrigation management in the study area and what take change the irrigation project in rural livelihood. Literature review was conducted through various sources such as previous studies report. Different articles about FMIS, previous thesis and internet to identify the gap. The research was conducted under descriptive and exploratory research design. Both primary and secondary information were collected during the course of study. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire survey from the farmers. Key informant interview, field visit, observation and focus group discussion were also carried out while secondary data were collected from various published and unpublished information source i.e. relevant literatures, books, journals reports, annual reports and other official sources. The farmers have observed the complete transformation in the livelihood of the people with 60 percent growth in investments, 30 percent growth in their savings 10 percent growth in access to education as the major economic changes, likewise 50 percent increased in the construction of road, 30 percent increase in the construction of houses, 10 percent increase in the construction of canals and 2 percent increase in the construction of agro processing centre an physical sectors. The level of production has increased by about 75 percent in the study area. With the availability of irrigation, farmer in the area have started growing potatoes twice a year which has been the major source of the income. Irrigation has major impact in the decision making of women which in 60 percent followed by 30 percent the development of self-help group and 10 percent conflict resolution. Irrigation has also played secondary role in the establishment of cooperative and has highly contributed in education of sector, physical infrastructure, economic growth and in the overall development of the study area. Farmer are actively participating in the effective management of water which helps of sustain the long terms of the project. Thus, FMIS has a great significance for community development, enhancing opportunities to participate for farmers including women and small farmers in the mainstream of development which provides over all rural development.