Irrigation Modernization: Chinese Style
Report on a field visit to Shijin irrigation system, Hebei province
Tushaar Shah, Khalid Mohatadulla and Asad Qureshi

This Highlight reports on the trip, which included a field visit to newly-modernized
Shijin irrigation system in Hebei province. If the Shijin system is any guide, three elements of China’s irrigation modernization strategy are: [a] total rehabilitation of old, earthen systems into modern, lined canals for high-efficiency irrigation; [b] institutional reform of irrigation management; and [c] total recovery of irrigation
fees levied at rates varying from USD 70 to 400/ha. On all these fronts, canal irrigation in India has much ground to cover: our systems are falling apart; our irrigation institutions have declined; and most states fail to recover even token irrigation service fees (ISF). China presents a bold contrast to the Indian scene on
irrigation reform.
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