Financing Asian Irrigation: Choices Before Us

The paper says irrigation schemes in the region are aging and underperforming, and, with land in short supply, there is little scope for creating major new schemes. Persistent inability to attract adequate finance for irrigation works compounds the problem. The core challenge facing Asia’s irrigation and drainage (I&D) is ensuring adequate financing for the recurrent spending and rehabilitation investment needs of existing large publicly owned and managed surface I&D schemes. Inadequate funding of management, operation, and maintenance (MOM), especially maintenance, is a vital factor in the widespread deterioration of surface irrigation systems across Asia.