relationship between water level and flow rate at each site. The water resources decision support system is based on hydrometric data management software, hydrological and hydraulic modeling software, and real-time water monitoring.
The main focus of the Irrigation Management Transfer subactivity was about capacity building for the WUAs, especially after they had been created and legally registered. All 11 WUAs were legally registered early in 2012, and capacity-building services were offered to the WUAs. Eight thousand participants attended 725 capacity-building events, with almost 10,000 person- days of instruction. The project dealt with numerous related issues, including legal concerns, dealing with local public authorities, fiscal reporting, registration of lands and buildings in the central irrigation system, human resources and the labor code, and various others.
For the WUAs and their members, the number of concurrent activities was sometimes overwhelming, so it was necessary to assist with communications, coordination and scheduling of events to minimize concentrations during some periods. To this end, the Irrigation Sector Reform Activity consultant frequently updated its work plan to accommodate the WUAs and other project implementers.
By the end of August 2015 three of the WUAs had collected 100 percent of the annual membership fees for 2015, and three others collected more than 80 percent. These are impressive statistics, considering that most of the WUAs had not yet begun to manage an operational irrigation system, and only a few of the farmers had irrigation water application equipment at the time. It demonstrates the serious commitment of the land users to irrigation system management, and it reflects well on the organizational development assistance and institutional strengthening provided through the Irrigation Sector Reform Activity.
Nine of the 11 active WUAs have demonstrated that they are better prepared and more capable of managing the rehabilitated central irrigation system than the Apele Moldovei agency’s regional state enterprises, with a solid business approach, financial and operational transparency, and understanding of the tasks that need to be accomplished to become durable, self-sufficient associations.
Gary Merkley, senior supervising engineer at Natural Resources Consulting Engineers Inc., has over 35 years of professional engineering experience in the United States and more than 20 other countries, with a background in farming and agricultural business. He is an author and editor and has worked as a technical specialist on overseas assignments.
of the 9
11 active
WUAs have
demonstrated that they are better prepared.
The food they need.
Brought to you by irrigated agriculture.
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