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Rethinking commons management in Sub-Saharan West Africa: public authority and participation in the agricultural water sector

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  • Jean-Philippe Venot

Abstract

Promoted for over three decades, participatory irrigation management (PIM) and its organizational upshot the water user association (WUA) have been framed as a solution to the irrigation sector problems. Based on a case study of small reservoirs in two countries of West Africa, Burkina Faso and Ghana, this article shows that the PIM/WUA model is based on narrow visions of the commons and participation and does not account for the de facto pluralism and institutional bricolage that characterize natural resources management. Attempts at institutional intervention should be based on better understanding social relationships and existing processes of decision making.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Philippe Venot, 2014. "Rethinking commons management in Sub-Saharan West Africa: public authority and participation in the agricultural water sector," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(4), pages 534-548, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rwinxx:v:39:y:2014:i:4:p:534-548
    DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2014.911647
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yoder, Robert, 1994. "Locally managed irrigation systems: essential tasks and implications for assistance, management transfer and turnover programs," IWMI Books, International Water Management Institute, number 114044.
    2. Yoder, R., 1994. "Locally managed irrigation systems: essential tasks and implications for assistance, management transfer and turnover programs," IWMI Books, Reports H011888, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Tushaar Shah & Babara Van Koppen & Douglas Murrey & Marna de Lange & Madar Samad, 2002. "Institutional Alternatives in African Smallholder Irrigation: Lessons from International Experience with Irrigation Management Transfer," IWMI Research Reports H 30202, International Water Management Institute.
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    1. Whaley, Luke & Cleaver, Frances & Mwathunga, Evance, 2021. "Flesh and bones: Working with the grain to improve community management of water," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    2. Carla Roncoli & Brian Dowd‐Uribe & Ben Orlove & Colin Thor West & Moussa Sanon, 2016. "Who counts, what counts: representation and accountability in water governance in the Upper Comoé sub‐basin, Burkina Faso," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 40(1-2), pages 6-20, February.
    3. Aarnoudse, E. & Closas, Alvar & Lefore, Nicole, 2018. "Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa," IWMI Working Papers H048782, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Christopher Ksoll & Elena Moroz & Abbie Turiansky & Anthony D'Agostino & Yiriyibin Bambio & Daniel Roberge & Randall Blair, "undated". "MCC Burkina Faso—Agriculture Development Project," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 6687698087fb4146a11d442dc, Mathematica Policy Research.
    5. Harrison, Elizabeth, 2018. "Engineering change? The idea of ‘the scheme’ in African irrigation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 246-255.

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