Public-Private Partnership in Surface Water Irrigation: A Case of Kolhapur

Radhanagari project situated in Kolhapur district has shown a very high capacity utilization rate and high the financial sustainability. Over this system major proportion of water conveyance and entire water distribution takes place through privately run schemes either individually or through formation of irrigation co-operatives. The sugar factories within the project area manage autonomous irrigation schemes and abo play an important role in the smooth operation of the irrigation system. Radhanagari Irrigation Project throws open host of strategic issues in front of the Indian irrigation sector including the involvement of agro-businesses in irrigation service provision.