Effective irrigation water governance is important to provide water for livelihood and economic growth as well as maintaining a sustainable environment. Irrigation water users associations are mandated to ensure good governance and fair distribution of irrigation water among users. However, there is a top down approach in the establishment of IWUAs bylaws and determination of the responsibilities of users and existing associations are not empowered for self-governances. This in turn affects irrigation water governance and distribution among users. Hence, this study was conducted to assess irrigation water distribution mechanisms among users and to evaluate irrigation water users’ association performance in irrigation water governance and distribution. Two stage sampling procedures were used for the selection of sample respondents. First, out of the total irrigation user kebeles of the district, four sample kebeles were randomly selected. At the second stage, 76 sample respondents were selected using cluster sampling, probability proportion to size and simple random sampling method. A cross-sectional survey method was used and data were collected through interview schedule, focus group discussion and key informant interview. Descriptive statistics and narrative analysis were used for data analysis. The analysis shown that there is a rotational irrigation water distribution system with implementation limitations. It was also reported that there is weak performance of the water committees in schemes governance and water distribution, indicated a prevalence of unfair distribution of irrigation water among users. Therefore, context of user participation needs to be emphasized since irrigation involves multiple stakeholders with varying interests.
Distribution Mechanisms, Governance system, Irrigation Water, Deder, Ethiopia
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