Author(s)

A. Al Adwan & B. O. Hayek

Abstract

Retail irrigation water management in the Jordan Valley has been subjected to a comprehensive program for improvement since 2001 aiming at improving the efficiency of water distribution. Participative irrigation management approach was selected as a strategic option. The implementation of the program was launched in 3 pilots (north, middle, and south). The program started by rebuilding trust and advancing mutual understanding between the farmers and the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) after a few years of disparity. The program also included contributing in reclaiming the network and providing know-how transfer to bring the farmers to an appropriate operational position and cooperative mode. Water users associations (WUAs) were formed where a democratic process was instituted to select the members on duty and the management structure. Contracts were achieved with WUAs that reached tasks transfer; where WUAs became responsible for the distribution of the water for irrigation. Yet to ensure the sustainability of the experience, a bylaw for the WUAs was prepared in cooperation with the farmers, while a federation for WUAs will be reached in the near future. Farmers reported improved productivity due to availability of water on a regular basis. Illegal use of water was dramatically reduced and a fair water distribution was reached. Today 21 WUAs serve ¾ of the irrigated land in the Jordan Valley. WUAs and JVA established sort of a partnership for the efficient water use in irrigation by cooperating in retail water management. The step wise

Keywords

participative irrigation, water users groups, water users associations, water management in the Jordan valley, efficiency of retail water distribution