KNOWLEDGE, TOOLS AND LESSONS FOR INFORMING THE
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FOOD SECURITY
STRATEGIES IN ASIA
A TECHNICAL WORKSHOP AND CONFERENCE
Hyatt Regency Hotel
Kathmandu Nepal
Nov 14 – 16, 2011
“Water User Associations and
Governance – Tajikistan Example”

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Introduction
• Tajikistan population is about 7,600,000.
• Total area about 14.3 million ha.
• Arable land 4.1 million ha (26%). Irrigated 720,000 ha
(18%).
• 2/3 of the workforce in agriculture.
• Agriculture accounts for 23% of GDP.
• Irrigation is necessary, particularly for Cotton & for
‘kitchen gardens”—which are essential for rural areas.
• Irrigation systems are in a great state of disrepair.

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Need for Organizations
• Poorest of the ex-Soviet Union states.
• Shortage of funds for infrastructure resulted in 1,000,000.
citizens working outside of the country.
• A severe lack of skilled labor particular in the water
management area.
• Irrigation/drainage systems continue to deteriorate and
production decrease.
• Tajikistan not the first country to be in such a situation.
• Problem solved by devolving system O&M to end users.

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Need for Organizations – cont.
• Tajikistan followed this approach to establish WUAs.
• Tajikistan began to establish WUAs in 1990s.
• To date, around 200 WUAs have been established.
• But many do not function or function ineffectively.
• This paper is about WUAs organized through the
“Water User Association Program; 2004-2011” funded
by USAID and implemented by Winrock International.

Water User Associations in Tajikistan

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Legal Basis
• Firm legal foundation necessary for WUAs:
• Government Regulation #281 – 1996; re fee collection
for water delivery service,
• Water Code of Tajikistan – 2000; expanded the legal
basis for creation of WUAs,
• The “Water Users Association” Law – 2006; provides a
legal basis for creation, activity and management of
WUAs as non-commercial organizations (WUAs
participated in a Parliamentary Hearing);
• Thus, there is a strong legal basis for WUAs, though
there are problems with actual implementation.

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
•Goal was to develop an organizing model for Tajik socio-
cultural conditions based on basic principles
•Used an intensive approach to organize WUAs to
promote sustainability
•A challenge given the lack of Tajik experience with civil
societies
•The following are some basic principles:
Organization Process

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
BASIC PRINCIPLES
• membership includes all farmers in the WUA area;
• WUAs based on clearly defined hydrologic boundaries;
• organized through a ‘bottom-up’, ‘community concept approach’;
• organized in an open, transparent, fair, honest, democratic processes;
• election of officers through secret ballot;
• intense community integration to ensure awareness of benefits and
responsibilities;
• all concerned have a voice in decisions;
• charter developed by members themselves;
• organizational structure promotes transparence clear checks/balances;
• standing committees of Audit and Conflict resolution;
• members participate in all steps of rehabilitation/construction of works;
• intensive training in organizational development, management,
finances, technical, etc.

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
WUAAchievements
•Dedicated WUA staff with defined duties, responsibilities and activities
•Hold regular meetings;
•Conduct business in a transparent manner, especially finances;
•Engage and replace staff as required with no outside interference;
•Resolution of conflicts;
•Collect required fees;
•In good standing with government authorities and Ministry of Irrigation;
•Now can engage directly with local authorities and the Ministry;
•Carried out system rehabilitation by themselves;
•Perform system maintenance
•Develop water delivery schedules and operate system distribution;
•Improved knowledge of legal, administrative, management, agricultural and
technical issues;
•Involvement of women in WUA affairs greatly enhanced;

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Overall Results:
•A sustainable WUA model was developed;
•Foundation established to achieve sustainable and self-
governing organizations in Tajikistan;
•‘Mind Change’ in attitudes and self-confidence;
•WUAs are now daily practicing ‘Civil Societies;
•‘Anarchy’ replaced with Cooperation;
•Significantly improved reliable water delivery.

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
•Less interference from local authorities;
•Increase technical skills in planning, scheduling, water measurement
•Improve capacity in internal management;
•Tajik government to turnover of systems to the WUAs/Federations
•Government assistance during a transition period as WUAs gain
experience;
•Improve system infrastructure;
•Improve access to quality affordable agro-inputs; markets; and
technologies.
•Increase production and market development leading to more income.
Challenges
Major Challenges to be overcome before WUAs are able to take over
all responsibilities for system O&M & achieve sustainability.

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
•The Tajik Government has initiated actions to reform the irrigation
sector;
•A reform principle being that WUAs are basic building blocks
necessary for effective change;
•Sincere implementation of reforms will move toward resolving
challenges;
•The Tajik Government, must be fully committed to, and support
WUAs;
•Guidance, advice and assistance to WUAs/Federations are needed to
promote their roles and responsibilities.
Steps toward Resolution of Challenges

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Future Vision
• WUAs will be sustainable, self-governing and effective
water managers – they will be the ‘heart’ of the irrigation
sector;
• Tajik-wide apex organization to influence water policy;
• More effective water management to increase prosperity;
• Prosperity increases for all Tajik citizens, particularly
those in rural areas.

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Photos
Secret
Balloting
Elected WUA Board of Directors
USAID Director at Official
Opening of WUA Office American Ambassador Planting wheat in
Women’s Kitchen Garden

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Photos
WUA Members Participated at
Law Parliamentary Hearing
Kyrgyzstan WUA Cross-Visit to Tajikistan

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
PhotosBefore After
Canal
Distribution
Gates
Drainage
Channel

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Photos
Excavator to Federation Sarob
Three Tractor Backhoes to
WUAs
Small
measuring
devices to
WUAs

Water User Associations in Tajikistan
Thank you for your attention.
Any Questions?