Community Partnership in Irrigation:A Study of Nira Deoghar Project in Maharashtra

Scope of community partnership in irrigation is an emerging area of research in Maharashtra. It is difficult to complete the ongoing irrigation projects with government funding. Private sector is unwilling to join hands with the government due to stringent regulations. The paper raises the issue of completing Nira Deoghar Irrigation Project, major irrigation project in Pune District, by community partnership. It is based on a primary survey and Focus Group Discussions. The difference in the average area under crop and expenditure made to avail the irrigation facility is tested between two talukas. The impact of membership of Self-help Groups and Water Uses’ Associations on the farmers’ willingness to contribute towards the capital cost has been tested with the help of a logistic model.