Managing Canal Irrigation: Practical Analysis from South Asia (Wye Studies in Agricultural and Rural Development) [Paperback]

Robert Chambers (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wye Studies in Agricultural and Rural Development | Publication Date: April 28, 1989

The many billions of dollars invested in canal irrigation in recent decades have had disappointing results. Rarely have projected benefits in well-being or production been achieved. In consequence, in the mid-1980s, further vast sums are being spent throughout the Third World on programmes for rehabilitation, canal lining, on farm development, and farmers' organisation. In this book, Robert Chambers shows that much of this policy and practice is based on misleading research and misdiagnosis. When applied to the complexity and uniqueness of canal irrigation systems, the normal professionalism of civil and agricultural engineers, agronomists, economists, and sociologists, leaves gaps which are keys to better performance. In successive chapters, five such gaps are analysed and presented: main system management, including the scheduling and delivery of water, and communications; canal irrigation at night; management of canal systems jointly by farmers and officials; professional conditions and incentives for irrigation managers; and methods for diagnostic analysis to identify cost-effective actions for improvement. Managing Canal Irrigation has been written for policy-makers, irrigation managers, consultants, researchers, trainers and teachers. It challenges all concerned with improving the performance and anti-poverty impact of canal irrigation, whether in government departments, aid agencies, consultancy firms, training and research institutes or universities, to re-examine their beliefs, biases and actions. By going beyond the limits of normal professionalism, the book presents a new syllabus for training, a new agenda for research and development, and points to new policies and to practical action to be taken in the field.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

A challenge to re-examine beliefs, biases and actions is presented through the exposure of misleading research and faulty diagnosis in the current policies and pratices of canal irrigation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (April 28, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521347882
• ISBN-13: 978-0521347884
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,128,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The authoritive text on canal irrigation in Asian Countries, April 24, 2000

By 

Mr Ian R Petts - See all my reviews

This review is from: Managing Canal Irrigation: Practical Analysis from South Asia (Wye Studies in Agricultural and Rural Development) (Paperback)

A comprehensive review of political managerial and economic issues of canal irrigation including; impact, managing proffessionals, operational management of schemes. An excellent text, should be read by any proffessionals related to irrigation, however neglects to cover comprehensively life cycle costing, agronomic or drainage management. Although the analysis is in Asia, the text and ideas are transferable globally. Well written, clear text from this excellent author.