Paula Novo Nunez,Alberto Garrido, CEIGRAM Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Departament of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences, paula.novo@upm.es
Abstract
The 2007 Nicaraguan Water Law seeks to set up of irrigation districts. However, in contexts of poor and infant institutions, the mere reference of a policy goal in a Water Law is not sufficient to convince farmers to enter into arrangements. Currently, in Nicaragua there is evidence of farmer groups sharing and managing common irrigation systems. The analysis of these experiences might provide valuable insights for the development and institutional design of irrigation groups as defined in the new Water Law. This study compares the case of shared and individual irrigation systems in the Upper Rio Viejo Sub-basin in Nicaragua. A survey on agricultural production and social capital was administered at household level. Results suggest that cognitive social capital factors, such as subjective perceptions of the community and of peers’ trustworthiness as well as past successful collective experience, stimulates a positive attitude for participation and contribution to the community. In this respect, farmers’ community background, in particular past experiences with collective action, might be useful before implementing policy programs such as irrigation formalization.
Keywords: Social capital; irrigation; Nicaragua