MICRO IRRIGATION IN NEPAL: AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO
FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY
MICRO IRRIGATION IN NEPAL: AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO
FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY
Kishor Kumar Bhattarai 1
INTRODUCTION
Non Conventional Irrigation Technology Project (NITP) was established on 2003 A.D.
to develop and promote other than conventional irrigation technology/ies and
techniques. Its aim is to develop irrigation systems incorporating efficient technologies
for both to the under irrigated areas as well as to areas where conventional irrigation
systems is not possible due to reasons like high development cost, insufficient
quantity of water, unsuitable geology, land and soil, etc hence designated as non
irrigable. Rescuing poor from vicious cycle of poverty and uplifting women,
disadvantaged and marginalized groups of people economically are the ultimate
goals of this project. Apart from basic objective of providing irrigation to otherwise dry
lands it has been successful in lessening social discrimination emanating from social
and economic inequality such as poverty, illiteracy, gender, and cast system.
At present NITP is promoting micro irrigation technologies and developing efficient
irrigation system for such technologies. Micro irrigation in Nepalese context is "micro
both in terms of command area size as well as in application" rather not only in
application at micro level as in other developed countries. Hence, very small irrigation
systems using simple drip and micro sprinkler for water application are among the
non conventional irrigation systems. But present understanding of micro irrigation
system only as synonym to small irrigation will eventually hamper the progress of non
conventional irrigation development in Nepal.
1. NEPAL
Nepal with total area 147181 sq km. and population about 28 millions is a South
Asian country sandwiched between emerging world economic powers India and
China. Nepal can be broadly divided into three geographical regions i.e. High
Mountains, Mid Mountains and Low land plain area. Chure range is small hilly area
between mid mountain (Mahabharat) and plain area (Terai). Elevation ranges from
65m to 8840 m above MSL from south to north within a short span of about 200 km.
Nepal is very rich in water resources which, is yet to be harnessed. Terai, covering
18% of total area, is comparatively fertile plain area in northern tip of indo-gangetic
plain. Remaining 82% is covered by mountain. Per capita income is less than 460
US$ with above 60% of its population engaged in agriculture. Contribution of
agriculture sector in GDP is more than 30%. Main agriculture products are rice,
wheat, pulses, tea and sugar cane. Main staple food is rice. Agriculture productivity is
well below world standard.
1- Coordinator, Non conventional Irrigation Technology Project ,Kishor_bh@hotmail.com
Nepalese society is cast based discriminatory and patriarchal where women are
subjugated both economically and physically. Poverty is rampant among lower cast
but not limited to them.
1.1 Overall Irrigation Status
Total cultivatable land in Nepal is about 2640 thousand hectares, out of which only
1766 thousand hectares is categorized as irrigable. Remaining 874 thousands
hectare are non irrigable as conventional irrigation schemes are unfeasible for these
areas.
Inclusive of irrigation systems for 636 thousand hectares developed by farmers
themselves irrigation infrastructures are already built for total 1252 thousand hectares
which is 47% of total agriculture land and 71% of total irrigable land. Almost 50% of
theses irrigation systems built by farmers have received government assistance for
upgrading and maintenance. Only 46% of irrigated land or 22% of total agricultural
land has year round irrigation facility.
2.1 Non Conventional Irrigation System: Nepalese Context
2.1.1 Objective of the NITP
Objective of the NITP is to implement the micro-irrigation program for disadvantaged
group, marginal land and farmers, severely water deficit areas and provide an
effective micro-irrigation service delivery mechanism with high value crop production
support for poverty alleviation.
2.1.2 Non conventional irrigation system
Water acquisition and its application, if both of them or any one of them, is not
conventional in nature than it is non conventional irrigation system. Hence, irrigation
system which includes one or more than one of the following components is non
conventional irrigation system.
1. Drip
2. Sprinkler
3. Treadle Pump (Manually (by feet) operated ground water extracting machine)
4. Low cost water storage (Thai jars, soil-cement or plastic lined) tanks
5. Rain water harvesting
2.2 Project Area, Priority, Budget and Present Status
The sub projects are scattered throughout Nepal. Based on experiences gained so far
it has been observed that non conventional irrigation schemes are most useful and
necessary for mid hill and inner terai (area between mid mountains and Chure). But
developments of non conventional irrigation sub projects are not restricted to these
areas only. While treadle pumps are used in terai, schemes with drip and sprinkler
technologies are being promoted mainly in mid mountain and hills.
Positive discrimination is accepted in selection criteria of NITP. Priority is given to the
areas inhabited by marginalized poor community with no potential for future
development of conventional irrigation. Similarly access to market or potential for
future market development in nearby areas is assessed.
Total budget allocated to NITP has gradually increased from US$ 0.54 million for the
FY 2007/08 to US$ 1.46 million for the FY 2010/011. While total estimated cost of 223
ongoing projects is US$ 6.2 million only US$ 1.46 million is allocated in this fiscal
year. Nearly 94% of the allocated budget is used for civil works of project.
At present 223 sub projects in 74 districts 2 with total command area 3300 ha are
under construction. It is expected that 40 of these projects will complete by the end of
fiscal year 2010/11 providing irrigation to additional 501 hectare of land. About 90% of
the sub projects have command area less than 20 ha.
Already completed 135 projects, with total expenditure of US$4.2 million, in 44
districts can irrigate about 2558 ha. if utilized properly as most of the projects are
intended for drip irrigation schemes and designed accordingly.
A. Simple Drip
Simple drip system is very simplified form of modern drip technology. Holes are
punched in 8mm lateral pipes to act as emitters. Pressure is generated by placing
tank (capacity 60 ltrs) about 1 meter above the ground.
B. Micro Sprinkler
Micro sprinkler have very small coverage of about 4 meters in diameter. They can be
operated under 7 to 10 meter head. Small area of coverage is specially suited for
small terraces in mountains.
Table 1: Cost of Simple Drip and Micro Sprinkler System
System Size Irrigation Retail Price Remarks
Capacity (Without/With tank 3)
US$
Simple Drip System Very small 90 sqm 10.76-14.13 4 Drip lines
Simple Drip System Small 125 sqm 15.45-18.98 6 Drip lines
Simple Drip System Medium 250 sqm 27.74-31.34 8 Drip lines
Micro Sprinkler Small 250 sqm 11 4 risers
System
Mini Sprinkler Small 250 sqm 9.63 2 risers
System
Apart from NITP different I/NGOs are also involved in micro irrigation development
(Table 2). Some of these organizations which were active even before government
started its initiative are still active in micro irrigation development in Nepal.
2- There are 75 districts in Nepal.
3- HDP tank of size 50 ltrs
Table 2: Different Organizations Involved in Micro Irrigation Development and their
contribution
S. No. Organization Hectare House Holds Hectare per HH
4
1 ADB/N 28987 29035 0.998
2 IDE 5 9815 119406 0.082
3 SISP 6 2280 7800 0.292
4 NITP 7 2558 6800 0.376
5 DEPROSC3 1211 4139 0.293
6 SAPROS3 335 3852 0.087
7 MDI3 168 1001 0.168
8 CEAPRED3 129 741 0.174
9 VDRC3 21 229 0.092
10 HELVETAS2 5 27 0.185
45509 173030 0.262
Comparatively larger average landholding per household in ADB/N invested areas is
clear indication of undue influence by comparatively wealthy farmers to government
agency. Contrary to this in the projects developed by I/NGOs majority are small
farmers as indicated by average land holding size. This is one of the reasons behind
the success of their initiative.
3. Beliefs and Achievements of NITP
NITP firmly believes that development is a right not a generosity. For NITP
Development is not only a matter exclusively of economic growth and increase in
gross domestic product. Projects of this size do not have substantial impact in GDP.
NITP firmly believes that genuine change is most often rooted in small communities of
poor people and NITP can play very important role in this change. Hence, all
neglected areas and communities are primary target of NITP development.
NITP believes in positive discrimination and attention to vulnerable group. Affirmative
action is needed to correct, offer remorse and compensate for neglect and seclusion
of disadvantaged group since historical times. Obviously positive discrimination is
their right, not plead for sympathy. For NITP all those who cannot claim their rights or
are voiceless are potential beneficiaries as it is not a matter of cast but it is state of
being powerlessness resulting from poverty and lack of education which are proving
to be more detrimental for the cause of social justice.
Social inclusion and women empowerment are other two areas of major
achievements of NITP’s micro irrigation schemes. Objective of social inclusion is
being achieved through overall participatory process. Through this process decisive
participation of all irrespective of their cast, race, religion, gender and economical
status is ensured in each stages of development. Mandatory provision of 35 percent
women in WUA's (Water User's Association) executive committee is helping in
women's empowerment by installing confidence in them and providing opportunity for
leadership. At the same time this process is successfully creating awareness among
the disadvantaged group (poor, women, lower cast and ethnic group) in the
community, helping them to organize, empowering them for decision-making so that
4- ADB/N: Agriculture Development Bank Nepal (semi government organization)
5- International Non Governmental Organizations
6- Local Non Governmental Organizations
7- Non Conventional Irrigation Technology Project
they can identify and prioritize their needs. It is also building up user's capacity for
preparation, implementation, operation and management of subprojects in other
areas as well to enhance their livelihoods.
User's committee is providing platform to disadvantaged group to mingle with others,
which is invaluably instrumental in raising their level of self confidence. In addition to
this the democratic process adopted in electing executive members of WUA is
another important feature helping in social inclusion.
Leadership ability and sense of economic independence are very important in
women's empowerment as these two factors have direct impact on individual identity,
dignity, self respect and social standing. Leadership ability comes from knowledge
and capability to demonstrate and implement such knowledge. NITP is instrumental in
increasing women's confidence level by giving them leadership opportunity through
WUA, improving their leadership quality by involving them in various micro irrigation
and agriculture related trainings, participation in user’s committee activities,
interaction programs and introducing sense of freedom in them by including them in
"away from home" farmers tour program. Economic independence is achieved
through control over resources i.e. by selling agro products and controlling the
returns. In small micro enterprises such as small micro irrigation supported
agricultural activities women benefit in particular, because their say over the output of
homestead based activities tends to be stronger than for other sites of agricultural
production.
4. Scope for non conventional irrigation schemes
The potential agricultural land area for non conventional irrigation development in
Nepal is around 1000 thousand hectare which is summation of non irrigable and
under irrigated land. Further, it is possible to increase irrigation capacity of present
irrigation infrastructures drastically with adoption of efficient drips and sprinklers for
water application.
Nepal being a mountainous country with fragile geology poses tremendous challenge
from stability point of view. Landslides, slope failure, rock fall or any other form of soil
mass movement is common along the canal alignment both due to natural cause and
due to human intervention. As pipe is used for water conveyance in Non conventional
systems it requires very little excavation works hence induces less disturbance to
natural geomorphology. This makes such schemes more appropriate in Nepalese
context.
Areas under cultivation in hill and mountain region are either terraced or sloppy land.
Soil erosion rate is high from such areas which is further aggravated by conventional
surface irrigation. Irrigation technologies which use small quantity of water such as
drip and sprinkler are helpful to mitigate soil erosion from such land.
Seepage and deep percolation loss is high because of high porosity and shallow
depth of soil in mountainous region. Drip and sprinkler are most appropriate
application technologies to minimize the loss of water as well as nutrients.
The economical status of majority of people and average land holding per family has
further made micro irrigation more relevant.
5. Problems in Micro Irrigation Development in Nepal
The problems associated with micro irrigation development are of varied nature as
technologies are new for Nepalese farmers. Capacity of the drip and sprinkler sets, its
coverage, prior knowledge about these technologies, farmer's capacity to invest in
these technologies etc are major hurdles in micro irrigation development. Farmers are
unaware of effectiveness of these technologies. Moreover farmers who are
accustomed with flooding methods of irrigation have doubts about these systems
meeting crop water requirement.
Drip sets developed in Nepal are of very small capacity as largest set can cover 1000
sq.m. Only Hence big farmers who have capacity to lead small farmers in vegetable
farming and marketing are not attracted towards it. These poor small farmers would
have followed big farmers had they used these technologies.
Changing present cropping pattern which is being practiced since centuries is another
major problem. Paddy cultivation has attained status of religion or culture. Hence
switching over to high value crops like vegetables is not taking place at desired pace?
NITP is also facing serious problem of lack of budget. Budget allocated is minimal
compared to the coverage of NITP and large number of projects under construction.
Due to unavailability of sufficient budget; even for such small projects; it is taking
more than anticipated time (1 to 2 years) to complete. This is totally against most
strong argument in its favor that is "being small it can be completed in very short
period and benefit can be ripped immediately".
Unwanted interventions by political leaders in project selection and compelling
executing agencies to implement unfeasible projects is also harming the progress of
NITP.
6. Conclusion
Topography of the country, poverty level, land fragmentation etc makes it imperative
to promote micro irrigation in Nepal.
The achievements of NITP in Socio-Economic sectors are indeed remarkable.
Economic independence, leadership quality, self-identity and confidence, which are
key ingredients in achieving women's empowerment, are major moral boosting
achievements. Similarly, NITP is playing very important and effective role in lessening
social discrimination, exclusion and seclusion of deprived and destitute populace.
Development induced by NITP kind of projects are in real sense "development with
human face" where most deprived, marginalized and excluded sect of people are
benefited and experience positive changes brought by it. These achievements in
Socio-Economic sectors are indeed remarkable.
More training and motivational programs are needed to convince more farmers to
adopt these technologies and switch over to high value crop farming. Either by
government or through I/NGOs with government support this initiative must continue.
References
1. Bhattarai, K. 2010. Non conventional Irrigation Technology Project: An
Introduction. Irrigation News Letter. 58: 4-5.
2. Bhattarai, K, 2011, Climate Change and Non Conventional Irrigation
Technologies, Irrigation News Letter, 60:4-7
3. Pandey, N. and Adhikari,D,L.,2007. Non conventional Irrigation Technology
(NIT) An encouraging effort for Economic and Social Inclusion of the
Disadvantaged Poor, National Seminar Proceeding, PP 14-19
