Migration and Gender Dynamics of Irrigation Governance in Nepal

Nepal has a long history of irrigation, including government and farmer-managed irrigation systems that are labor- skill-intensive. Widespread male migration important effects on Nepalese society. How institutions such as Water Users’ Associations (WUAs) respond adapt, is therefore critical to the understanding rural transformation likely impact gender equality, food production, livelihoods. This paper examines institutional change in WUAs, women’s roles, technological change, outcomes affecting effectiveness based mixed methods study, combining phone survey 336 WUA leaders from all provinces with qualitative data case studies 10 systems. Results indicate WUAs have adapted rules increase participation, monetize contributions for maintenance. Women exercise agency whether how interact WUAs. Mechanization reduced need some labor, though ability mechanize limited by hilly terrain small plot sizes. Overall, adapting migration, relatively low idling land or labor shortages causing deterioration systems, there concerns high levels burdens.