Program Overview
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded Winrock International a five-year cooperative agreement to implement the Water Users Associations Support Program (WUASP). Program activities are being undertaken in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to provide assistance to farmers to promote Water Users Associations (WUAs) to develop their skills and capabilities to effectively plan, maintain and manage their on-farm irrigation and drainage systems.
A WUA is a self-managing group of farmers working together to operate and maintain their irrigation and drainage network to ensure fair and equitable water distribution and increase crop yields. USAID believes that WUAs are the cornerstone to increase agricultural production and effectively managing water resources on irrigated land. The WUASP creates motivating conditions for democratic WUA development by the demonstrating the potential for economic benefit, combined with the opportunity to resolve conflicts, make management decisions and put in place water allocation system that are equitable and productive for all irrigation resource users.
Critical Need
Agriculture within Central Asia, and consequently the livelihood of more than 22 million people, is almost entirely dependent on irrigation. Since independence, investment in the irrigation and drainage infrastructure has been negligible; this is particularly true at the farm level. Consequently, cropped area and crop production within Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is shrinking. Agriculture investment, particularly at the farm level and within the irrigation and drainage infrastructure is urgently needed to halt the continued economic decline of agriculture and prevent what has been called a potential social disaster for millions of people being displaced with no other alternatives for employment. Water Users Associations (WUAs) are being created to assume the responsibility of this investment.
Program Objectives
The overall objective of the WUASP is to create and strengthen WUAs so that farmers can operate, manage, and make the investment decision needed to maintain and improve the on-farm irrigation and drainage system. As a result of support from USAID, strengthened WUAs will increase their investment in irrigation water management and members of the WUAs will experience economic benefits. The major program objectives are:
- Develop the capacity of WUAs to manage local water delivery systems, using sound business practices, and democratic principles.
- Facilitate an improved legal and regulatory environment that will support the development of WUAs and their long term sustainability.
- Promote awareness of program benefits through targeted public awareness programs.
Program Elements
WUASP approach to increasing WUA management capacity and investment is to provide technical advice, training, and limited financial support to participating WUAs, and public awareness of the program’s goal and success.
Management and Technical Support Training Programs: The management capacity of WUAs is strengthened by providing a comprehensive series of training programs covering water delivery, business practices, conflict resolution and encouraging democratic principles to WUA members and staff.
Regulatory and Policy Support Program: While the organizational and management capacities of WUAs may be improved through training and applied experience, potential benefits to two countries (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) will not be realized without agricultural and legal reform. A critical component to improving the policy and regulatory framework for WUAs, water resources, and agriculture is the promotion or advocacy of new laws and policies that will lead to agricultural reform and an improved investment climate, which will allow farmers to invest their labor and capital to benefit themselves and their country. The prospects for promoting legal reform are enhanced by effectively communicating to politicians and government personnel the advantages of reform.
Targeted Public Awareness: WUASP conducts a coordinated, multi-media, public awareness program to increase the awareness of WUA’s benefits, demonstrate the effectiveness of democratic decision-making, and highlight successes that WUASP have achieved. This strategy helps to encourage lasting institutional and legal support for WUAs.
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NEWS FROM THE WUAs
February 12, 2010.
WUASP has organized cross visits to Myrza-Suu and Aksuu-Halmion WUAs.
Osh, Kyrgyzstan
On February 09, 2010 USAID Water Users Associations Support Program (WUASP) has organized cross visit to WUA Myrza-Suu in Bazarkorgon region and cross visit to WUA Aksuu-Halmion in Kadamjai region on February 12, 2010...
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February 11, 2010.
WUASP organized dairy training for women groups.
Osh, Kyrgyzstan
USAID funded Water Users Associations Support Project (WUASP) has organized dairy training for women groups in Aravan region as a continuation of women oriented trainings. Earlier the women were provided fruits and vegetables preserving and baking trainings...
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February 03, 2010.
Cross visit to orchard farm. Practical introduction.
Tajikistan
On 03, February, 2010 the Water Users Associations Support Program (WUASP) funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) organized a cross-visit with orchard farm “Mustaqim” in Shahrinav district for WUAs of the Rudaki and Vahdat districts. Members of these WUAs and WUASP staff visited the orchard and vineyard as it is considered one of the best orchard in Tajikistan...
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