Evaluation of the irrigation management training component

The evaluators were greatly impressed by the progress made in developing and implementing training activities by the institutions visited. The State Training Institutes (STI's) are making a considerable impact on increasing the awareness of on-farm irrigation needs. Furthermore, spirit at the STI's is good, staff seem to be quite motivated, and course materials and ability to present them are improving. STI programs appear to be broad, generic, and academic. Programs are apparently not planned specifically to meet the needs of the officers of the Irrigation and Agriculture Departments or the Command Area Development Authorities. In view of this, the evaluation team recommends that the STI's collaborate with Irrigation and other concerned Departments to design training programs focused on the specific work activities of irrigation system designers and operators, and the knowledge/skills necessary to increase their capability. For example, the focus of present training programs at all the project- supported institutions appears to be mainly on the tertiary or on-farm level of irrigation systems. However, there are major structural and management concerns and opportunities for improvement at other levels. In view of this the team recommends a more balanced training approach to encompass key aspects of the entire irrigation system. This would involve a greater emphasis on the operation and management of the "main system" (above the outlet to the tertiary system). Improvements could also be made via: (1) incorporating course materials into a systematic curriculum that reflects the actual work functions of the Irrigation Department; (2) increasing faculty members' use of participatory and hands-on training methods; (3) developing evaluation procedures for each STI; (4) increasing linkages with universities; and (5) reviewing guidelines for selecting trainees. The team also finds that it would be more cost-effective to strengthen a training of trainers capability within India, rather than to continue with the U.S.-based program. (Author abstract, modified)