Participatory management in lift irrigation: A success story from Andhra Pradesh

The concept of participatory irrigation management in India is catching up. Without any doubt, the concept is good, yet only a few success stories can be cited at this stage. This paper presents the case study of Pedaganjam Agam Tank Irrigation Cooperative Society at Uppugunduru village in Andhra Pradesh, which is more than 75 years old society and still running successfully. While the paper briefly presents the organizational structure, membership, financial status of the society, the main objective of the paper is to highlight the salient features that have led to its success. The declining yield in the farmer's fields as a result of waterlogging and salinity is referred to highlight the need for drainage in the area. Evidence is presented to show that implementation of drainage will strengthen the financial position of the society since it is linked with the financial position of its members. The society is keen to takeover the small drainage infrastructure created and ifappropriate funds and institutional support is available, to expand this activity. If the society takes over the project upon withdrawal of government support, this society would be the only one that would truly show the concept of irrigation and drainage go together being handled by a single society.