INCREASING PARTICIPATION
CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY
Large-scale irrigation management transfer in Peru
(UNDP, 2011)
Along the arid northern coast of Peru, control of the operation and maintenance of three large-scale irrigation systems was transferred from the government to associations of water users in 1992. This irrigation management transfer proved successful: the fee recovery rate is high and water delivery continues according to established rules. Success is related to the strong downward accountability of the elected association leaders towards users. Before the transfer, farmers had to bribe agriculture ministry officials to get access to water. Much less bribery has been reported since the turnover to associations, although canal operators do still manage to distribute water illegally, using leftovers from the precise distribution of official water.