The limits to participation: branch-canal water user associations in the Egyptian Delta. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rap, Edwin; Molle, Francois; Ezzat El-Agha, Doaa; Abou El Hassan, Waleed
• Is Part Of: Water international. Volume 44:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 31
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Participation -- participatory irrigation management (PIM) -- irrigation management transfer (IMT) -- water user associations (WUAs) -- conflict resolution -- water conflicts -- Egypt; Water -- Periodicals; Water-supply -- Periodicals; 333.9105
• DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2018.1554766
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0250-8060

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Egypt has valuable experience with water user associations in irrigated agriculture. Internationally funded irrigation improvement projects aiming to increase irrigation efficiency have introduced water user associations at the branch-canal level alongside improvements to the infrastructure in the Central Delta of Egypt. In this article we review those water management practices in which these associations are expected to participate. Our main finding is that their role in these areas is minimal and that they are generally weak organizations. Either such organizations should be genuinely strengthened legally and politically, and given real responsibilities and resources, or the entire idea of participation should be abandoned.