Their involvement and ownership from the beginning of the project cycle is essential, particularly where cost recovery of investment is a requirement, and contributes significantly to on-farm development. Efficient operation and maintenance of infrastructure is best achieved by paying close attention to the organization of water users. Institutional development of these organizations, if properly planned and implemented, is not a costly exercise and pays handsome dividends. Particular attention should be given to institutional development and to the training of participants when the beneficiaries are small farmers. It is essential to work closely with sub-national governments, even if these are not the principal source of the investment funding in the case of Chile, they could nevertheless contribute important investment resources through the Regional Development Funds.
Decentralization facilitates farmers' participation in demand-driven projects.
It should then be axiomatic that investment costs should be recovered, and that beneficiaries should be fully responsible for operation and maintenance under agreed procedures. Experience has demonstrated that the integration of production support services with investment in infrastructure and the strengthening of water users' organizations are essential if the benefits are to be realized in terms of agricultural development. Support services must be carefully designed and integrated. Increased demands for water from different sectors of the economy are leading to conflicts over scarce supply, which can be best addressed at the level of the river basin and catchment area. Consequently, future irrigation development should be an integral part of a broader water management strategy.