The main objective of Capacity Building or Participatory Training Programme is to establish strong linkages between water users, water resources and institutions.

In the past hardware component of irrigation system i.e. creation of infrastructure like dams, weirs, canals, etc, were given prime importance. The social components of irrigation system were not given adequate attention. This led to several problems in irrigation projects like gap between potential created & utilised, inequity & inequality, low water use efficiency, poor collection of water charges and deferred maintenance of canal system, increasing water conflicts, etc. Further, the attempts to address these issues lack integrated approach.

The extension services in irrigation and agriculture sector needs multidimensional approach to bring in desirable changes. Capacity Building (CB) exercise in irrigation sector should aim at producing impact both on farm and off farm. In order to attain this, all necessary steps and strategies needs to be incorporated in the CB program.

JalaSpandana with its experience in large irrigation schemes evolved Participatory Training Programme (PTP) that emphasises involvement of water users at all levels of CB Programme i.e. need assessment, training and impact assessment. The core element in PTP is to move away from solution prescriptive mode to participatory analytical mode of diagnosing and deriving strategies, initiatives & solutions. 

The main objective of CapacityBuilding or PTP is to establish strong linkages between water users, water resources and institutions.

The non negotiable in PTP are to establish training centers and several sub-centers (depending on the extent of command area) in strategic locations as decided by water users. This enables water users from the cluster of villages and Water Users Associations to access training programme on a regular basis. The next step is to carry out participatory research on problem identification and system performance over the years. PTP aims to evolve specific training modules to the canals/distributaries that have surplus, just enough, and scarcity of water.  Recognising the role of various stakeholders in irrigation project is another core element in PTP.

Entry point activity

JalaSpandana carries documentation of social capital i.e. crop and water management practices that exists at primary, distributary and main system level of irrigation project. This social capital could be rotation system of water distribution, collective farming and irrigating (damosha), community water man (Lashkars/ Neergantis/Patkars), progressive farmers and resource persons, etc.  Identify the immediate intervention that bring benefit to the farmers and improve water use efficiency. These interventions are made in an integrated approach like promotion of farmers field school for System of Rice Intensification (SRI), Vermi-compost, Indigenous plant growth promoters (Navakavya modified versions of Panchakavya,) Herbal decoction, integrated pest management, natural pest management and conjunctive use of water.

Main System Management

In order to attain perceptible change in the system performance, capacity building exercise needs to be carried out at all levels of irrigation project. Mere concentration at primary level i.e. village or minor level do not enable to achieve significant changes in terms of water use efficiency, livelihoods, reduction in tail end deprivation, regular operation and maintenance, resource mobilization and improve project performance. JalaSpandana involves water users in analyzing project performance and enable them to identify alternatives in water distribution methods. The different models of water distribution available across the country and overseas are documented and shared with water users during capacity building exercise.

WUAs as Users’ School

JalaSpandana promote model WUA that can act as users school and become focal point of learning for other WUAs in the command area. This users’ school functions as centre for learning, efficient water, crop and soil management, knowledge bank for practical decisions, farmer to farmer technology transfer, evolve strategies and tools for resolving water conflicts and develop social, physical and natural capital in the region.

Model Farms

JalaSpandana develop model farms in small area like 200 to 300 hectares which would be self explanatory in terms of water and crop management, livelihoods, low cost and no cost technologies, IPM and organic farming.

Environmental Flows

The belief among some farmers, planners and irrigation engineers is that all the water going to sea through rivers is waste. The series of attempts to tap water resources through various water bodies lead to reduced flow or no flow in the rivers in some months of the year causing negative impact on the morphology, land use, bio-diversity, fisheries and most importantly the livelihoods of the people dependent on river water. The classic examples are people living all along river, delta area and islands at the river mouth joining sea. In this direction, JalaSpandana organise series of orientation programmes to various stakeholder to balance the water cycle.

Area of Operation

JalaSpandana is carrying out above activities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry