Farmers' perceptions and engineering approach in the modernization of a community‐managed irrigation scheme. A case study from an oasis of the Nefzawa (South of Tunisia)

Abstract

Irrigation programmes are usually based on technical and economic considerations without substantial involvement of the target farmers. This study aimed to investigate farmers' discourse, practices and perceptions, and to emphasize progress, limit and synergy of farmers' representation in the modernization programme undertaken by engineers in the Fatnassa oasis in southern Tunisia. Analyses of constraints were based on the modernization programmes and on farmers' interviews. Causal relationships were represented separately as problem trees according to farmers' and engineers' perceptions. The technical solutions implemented by engineers did not achieve the expected enhancement because they disregarded inappropriate community management of the oasian system. Farmers were aware of constraints related to waterlogging and hot irrigation water since they can link causes and effects. The low frequency of delivery water turns was cited as the main constraint in spite of the fact that the farmers were themselves accountable for some inefficient irrigation practices and continuous extension of date palm plantation. Farmers failed to mention soil degradation and salinity, which were only perceived indirectly, or because they applied corrective measures. This case study allowed a critical reflection on the limitations of each approach and for the combination of experts and farmers' knowledge. Copyright agriculteurs sont eux-mêmes responsables de la faible efficience des irrigations et de l'extension continue des plantations de palmier-dattiers. Les agriculteurs n'ont pas mentionné la dégradation des sols, indirectement perçue ou parce qu'ils appliquent des mesures correctives. Cette étude de cas soutient une réflexion critique sur les limitations de chaque approche, et les avantages d'une combinaison des connaissances des experts et des agriculteurs.

The Relationship between Effective and Equitable Water Allocation, Local Rice Farmer Participation and Economic Well-Being: Insights from Thailand’s Chiang Mai Province

“…The farmers' contributions to the maintenance and repair of the local irrigation system are essential to a successful participatory irrigation scheme [17]. In addition, farmers participating in the irrigation operation have greater access to farming water, and subsequently increased income [56]. These findings can be attributed to the equitable water allocation and distribution (in timely fashion) among the tail-end CI farmers (Figure 8), which are the direct result of their active participation in the local irrigation operation and management ( Figure 9); on the other hand, 21% and 58% of head-end CIE farmers had less active participation and a sense of ownership, respectively.…”

Evaluation of the Water Allocation and Delivery Performance of Jiamakou Irrigation Scheme, Shanxi, China

“…The results also indicate that this irrigation scheme can provide good service to farmers. Some studies have shown that a flexible water delivery system and good water delivery service capacity are important ways to improve water use efficiency and promote modernization of irrigation schemes [21][22][23]. In recent years, the Chinese government has made efforts to promote the modernization of irrigation schemes.…”

The consequences of saline irrigation treatments on soil physicochemical characteristics

“…Such an approach requires continuous control of the irrigation water and soil properties (Bouksila et al 2013), and considerable effort must be made to educate farmers about the tremendous benefits of the high irrigation treatment for soil productivity. Therefore, as stated by Ghazouani et al (2009), special attention should be paid to improving farmers' awareness of the effects of irrigation strategy, particularly the combined influence of water quantity and quality, on soil characteristics. Our understanding of the water management strategy currently employed in the studied oasis and the findings of Ghazouani et al (2009) both suggest that the farmers' perceptions of water conservation and their application of a low irrigation treatment have degraded the studied region's soil productivity.…”

“…Therefore, as stated by Ghazouani et al (2009), special attention should be paid to improving farmers' awareness of the effects of irrigation strategy, particularly the combined influence of water quantity and quality, on soil characteristics. Our understanding of the water management strategy currently employed in the studied oasis and the findings of Ghazouani et al (2009) both suggest that the farmers' perceptions of water conservation and their application of a low irrigation treatment have degraded the studied region's soil productivity. Therefore, the farmers should be educated about the need to ensure sustainable agricultural activity in the studied oasis by applying the appropriate long-term strategy for irrigating with saline water.…”