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Case Study
USAID helps a water
users association
became one of the best
in the region
Association Showcases Excellence
Photo: Winrock Int.
The rehabilitated section of the canal
prevents water losses and ensures
equitable water distribution among the
water users.
“The positive changes and
improvements that we see
inspire us to participate
and contribute to further
development of the water
users association. Now we
actively clean the canal and
pay the fees on time or in
advance,” said Kambarov
Turat, member of Tamchy-
Bulak association.
Challenge
The Tamchy-Bulak Water Users Association in Bazarkorgon
Region, Jalalabat Oblast was created in 1999 and had more than
1,200 members with 1,384 hectares of land that provided livelihood
for 10,500 residents. However, the association’s structures existed
only on paper. Its members didn’t know what the organization did
nor even if they were part of the association at all, and farmers
never participated in its activities. The association was unable to
collect fees for the irrigation services and was badly indebted to the
regional water department. Water distribution was poorly arranged
and caused annual fights among the farmers. Despite their
attempts, farmers were unable to secure sufficient amounts of water
and harvests were meager.
Initiative
In 2006 a USAID-supported program aimed at supporting water
users associations, began cooperating with the Tamchy-Bulak
association. To improve the association’s governance and
water management, the USAID-supported program offered to
teach farmers about the structure of the association and water
distribution. With the program’s guidance, farmers learned to
run their organization, to apply the principals of democracy and
transparency, and to design effective water distribution plans. A
USAID grant helped rehabilitate critical sections of the association’s
72 kilometers of irrigation canals.
Results
USAID’s support inspired the farmers to rethink their attitude
towards the association. They now actively clean the canal and
pay fees on time. The association has paid off its debts to the
regional water department and delivers water to its users in a
timely manner. A backhoe loader donated by USAID helps in the
canal maintenance. Farms receive water when it’s most needed,
and the villagers no longer have to fight with each other about it.
The harvests increased as well. In 2008, association members
harvested over 50% more wheat, 60% more corn, 400% more
tomatoes, and 8% more alfalfa per hectare than before. Due to
its successful operations, Tamchy-Bulak was recognized by the
Kyrgyz Ministry of Agriculture as the best water users association in
Bazarkorgon Region.
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