ECONOMIC FAILURE PLAGUES DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES PUBLIC IRRIGATION - AN ASSURANCE PROBLEM

The poor performance of many government or public irrigation systems i s well documented. This study uses a model including internal and exte rnal assurance, commitment, and fairness to explain the performance of irrigation in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Maharashtra Stat e in India. The suggested approach is superior to ones based on the co ncept of ''free rider'' or government failure. The analysis shows that the Philippines and Maharashtra have developed ways to improve assura nce concerning the actions of government and other irrigators which ha s improved irrigation performance. In contrast, Sri Lanka and Nepal ha ve provided little assurance in their government irrigation systems an d performance is poor.