39% irrigation increase
Fully irrigated area expanded across TNIAMWARM sub-basins.
WUA capacity building for participatory irrigation management
A World Bank-supported component of the TNIAMWARM project — delivered by Coodu Trust with the Tamil Nadu WRO to strengthen Water Users Associations across project sub-basins in Tamil Nadu.
5,644
PIM beneficiaries (2011–2014)
39%
Irrigation increase
23–47%
Yield increase across crops
3
Years of training
The project
Preparing farmers to manage their own irrigation systems
Project mission
Build institutional capacity of Water Users Associations (WUAs) to ensure successful and sustainable implementation of Participatory Irrigation Management, empowering farmers to operate and maintain water resources efficiently, equitably, and sustainably.
This World Bank-supported project was implemented under the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization and Water-Bodies Restoration and Management (TNIAMWARM) Project — funded by the World Bank (IBRD/IDA), with the Tamil Nadu WRO as the government stakeholder and Coodu Trust as the NGO partner. It was the critical “software” component complementing the “hardware” of infrastructure restoration in the broader TNIAMWARM project, reaching Water Users Associations across project sub-basins in Tamil Nadu.
Over 3 years of training between 2011 and 2014, 5,644 PIM beneficiaries completed the programme. Awareness campaigns covered TNIAMWARM project goals and the TNFMIS Act — the legal framework for participatory irrigation management — and encouraged women’s participation in WUA activities and governance, while specialized training reached WUA managing committees and 4 functional sub-committees on governance and operations.
- Awareness creation
- Water management technology
- Organic farming
- Institutional governance
Why this work matters
The challenge on the ground — and our answer
The challenge
Restored infrastructure without institutions to run it
Restoring canals and water bodies is only the “hardware” — without capable, self-governing farmer institutions, irrigation systems risk falling back into neglect once the project team leaves.
Our response
The “software” of participatory management
Awareness on the TNFMIS Act plus governance, financial management and O&M training for WUA managing committees and four functional sub-committees — capped by post-project management training in 2013–2014.
The challenge
Water used inefficiently, productivity held back
Farmers managing irrigation without modern water management and production techniques cannot get the most from every drop of water — or from every field it reaches.
Our response
Technical training that moved the numbers
Training on micro-irrigation, sprinkler systems, fertigation, improved production technologies and organic farming — alongside a 39% expansion in fully irrigated area and 23–47% yield increases across various crops.
At a glance
The essentials
- Scheme
- TNIAMWARMTamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization and Water-Bodies Restoration and Management Project — World Bank (IBRD/IDA) funded
- Period
- 2011–2014Three years of training, successfully completed
- Coverage
- TNIAMWARM sub-basinsProject sub-basins across Tamil Nadu
- Beneficiaries
- 5,644 trainedPIM beneficiaries from multiple Water Users Associations
- Partners
- Tamil Nadu WROGovernment stakeholder, with Coodu Trust as the NGO partner
- Part of
- TNIAMWARM “software” componentInstitutional development complementing infrastructure restoration, under the TNFMIS Act framework
Outcomes
What the project changed
23–47% yield increase
Significant productivity improvements across various crops.
Strengthened institutions
Functional, self-governing WUAs for sustainable water management — 5,644 PIM beneficiaries completed the training programme.
Get involved
Support water resource management
Join us in strengthening farmer institutions that manage water efficiently, equitably and sustainably — so irrigation systems keep working long after the project ends.