Regulation on the Establishment, Registration, Strengthening and Functioning of Irrigation Associations.

The Regulation sets provisions to improve management of the irrigation system in the country. The Regulation consists of 13 articles, divided into 4 Chapters: General Provisions (I); Establishment, Registration, Structure, Duties, and Competencies of Irrigation Association (II); Duties and Authorities of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (III); Miscellaneous Provisions (IV). The main objectives of this Regulation include: to determine the conditions for establishment, registration, strengthening and functioning of irrigation associations; to regulate irrigation associations’ affairs; to preserve, maintain and improve irrigation systems. The irrigation association which is established according to the provisions of this Regulation has an independent legal personality. The irrigation association has a responsibility to: appoint water distributors; prevent water waste; prevent illegal use of water resources; ensure fair distribution of water to farmers; clean the water canals; sustainable use of irrigation systems; measure and register the amount of water in the canals. The irrigation associations have the authority to receive water subscription fees, own and control water systems, make decisions regarding protection of water users’ resources, and ask for assistance in an emergency situation. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock is the authority responsible to monitor irrigation associations as well as facilitate their activities.