The system of equitable distribution of water among farmers by fixed turns, according to the size of their holdings, along a canal outlet is called:

Warabandi is a system of distributing irrigation water from a canal outlet among farmers by rotation, in which each farmer gets water for a fixed time on a fixed day, in proportion to the size of his land holding.

Meaning of the word:

"Wara" means "turn" and "bandi" means "fixed", so "warabandi" means "fixed turns".

How warabandi works:

• Water from a canal outlet (mogha) is shared among all the farmers served by it.
• A roster (schedule) is prepared, usually for a seven-day cycle.
• Each farmer receives the full flow of the outlet for a fixed duration, which is proportional to the area of his land.
• The turn passes from one farmer to the next in a fixed order, from the head of the watercourse to the tail.
• Farmers cannot take extra water outside their turn.

Where it is practised:

• It is widely practised in the canal-irrigated areas of north-western India, especially Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, and also in Pakistan.
• It began during the British period, when large canal systems were built in the Indus basin.

Advantages:

• It ensures fair and equitable distribution of scarce water.
• It reduces conflicts among farmers.
• Farmers at the tail end of the channel also get their share.
• It encourages efficient use of water.

Problems:

• Powerful farmers sometimes violate the schedule.
• Rigid timings may not match the actual water needs of crops.

Participatory irrigation management:

Modern approaches, such as Water Users' Associations, involve farmers in managing canals and distributing water.

Other traditional water-sharing and harvesting systems:

• Phad: a community-managed irrigation system in north-western Maharashtra, using check dams (bandharas) and canals.
• Johads: earthen check dams in Rajasthan.
• Kuhls (kuls): channels in Himachal Pradesh.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Phad system and bandharas belong to Maharashtra's community irrigation.
• ✗Good to know
• ✗Johads are rainwater-harvesting structures of Rajasthan.