Gender Mainstreaming Case Study: India--Chhattisgarh Irrigation Development Project

In 2006, the State of Chhattisgarh adopted the new Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) Act, which set out important changes for irrigation management and had significant implications for women's participation in irrigation system. Chhattisgarh has abundant agricultural land and rainfall. However, agricultural productivity was low because only wet season rice (or paddy) was grown in most areas. The Chhattisgarh Irrigation Development Project (CIDP) improved irrigation, making it possible for dry season (rabi) cropping and giving many farmers the opportunity to improve their livelihood. With the PIM Act, the CIDP improved farm productivity and increased the participation of women in farm decision-making. The CIDP was the first irrigation project in Chhattisgarh that worked within a participatory irrigation management framework and strengthened water users' associations.