THE WHITE VOLTA SUB-BASIN - Sustainable Irrigation Development in the White Volta Sub-Basin - page 23

These community level organizations were promoted by MOFA and CWSA
and are part of the project package for every new development.
Both WUAs and WATSANs are responsible for maintaining the water
systems. The WATSAN and Water Boards set water tariffs for the
community and sell water at point sources to the community members. They
are responsible for maintaining the water supply system and also extending
supply to newly developing areas of the community. The members of the
WATSAN and Water Board are appointed by the community through
elections. The WATSAN and Water Board are accountable to the entire
community. Major decisions such as tariff changes need to be discussed with
the community for approval.
Water User Associations are responsible for small reservoirs developed for
the communities and its members are made up of the irrigators, fishermen
and livestock owners. In most instances, the irrigators double as fishermen
and/or livestock owners. The executive is elected by the members and is
responsible for ensuring the following:
 Protection of the reservoir, irrigable area and catchment areas
upstream of the reservoir to prevent siltation;
 Irrigation water delivery and control of valves;
 Maintenance of the dam, valves, canals and drains;
 Collection of water levies for maintenance of system;
 Conflict resolution.
Farmer Based Associations: These associations are formed among groups of
farmers with common interests. Farmers can form associations based on the
fact that they use similar technology, are located within the same area or
they use the same water resource. The reasons for forming these associations
are for formalizing self-help clubs, improving their market negotiation power
and/or seeking financial or technical assistance or both.
Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR): There are two large-scale
reservoir irrigation schemes located in the sub-basin (Tono and Vea) both
managed by ICOUR, which is a government agency that operates as a
commercial entity under MOFA. ICOUR is partly funded by public funds
and partly by internally generated revenue. The management of farmers on
the schemes is done through village committees and recently the introduction
of Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) which are likely to take over from
the village committee system. ICOUR charges farmers an irrigation water
levy every season and maintains the dam, canals, laterals, valves gates and
farm mechanization. They also support farmers with ploughing, harrowing