Understanding the institutional nature of issues threatening the sustainability of irrigation systems in Pakistan: discussion and field scale evidences

This paper argues that nature of challenges being confronted by irrigation system of Pakistan is mainly institutional rather than technical. In doing so, the paper at first very briefly describe the salient features of the system to develop general understanding about its size and associated complexity. The existing institutional arrangements for irrigation management including description of water rights and modes of cost recoveries are presented to identify the system weaknesses. The main threats to the irrigation system are identified and attempt has been made through discussion to trace linkage with existing institutional regime. Based upon the discussion, it is clear that overall adverse irrigation system performance in Pakistan is mainly due to the century old institutional structure, incapable of meeting new efficiency induced challenges. It was also observed that system physical deteriorations, initial system design weaknesses and low cost recoveries were also having significant bearing on overall performance. The proposed model of reforms was analyzed in context of associated disparities. The Field scale evidences were explored through literature review to conclude that institutional reforms is the way to ensure irrigation sustainability if carefully and sincerely implemented and coupled with necessary structural means.