In a global context of climate change and increased water scarcity, the development of efficient irrigation schemes in sub-Saharan Africa where rainfed agriculture still prevails could significantly support food security. However, developing efficient irrigation schemes is highly challenging and necessitates the resolution of a number of collective action problems. Since the 1980s, a large body of research has explored the conditions needed for successful collective action, sustainable use of the resource in irrigation schemes, and the development of efficient institutions. Although there is no agreed-upon definition of what successful, sustainable, or efficient governance schemes or institutions are, there is a common understanding that institutions that last over a long period of time are successful. However, past work mostly paints a homogenous and holistic picture of institutional efficiency across a given CPR, while limited research has investigated differences in terms of institutional efficiency between appropriators with various levels of institutional experience. In order to deepen our understanding of institutional efficiency, this study investigates how appropriators in one irrigation scheme, with different lengths and types of institutional experience, practice institutions. Building on existing literature, we ask how institutional efficiency relates to institutional experience at the levels of both irrigation units and the appropriators of water. To answer this research question, we conducted our analysis in the Mwea irrigation scheme (MIS) in Kenya, an irrigation scheme that has not only persisted but expanded over time since the 1950s. We analyze payment of operation and maintenance (O&M) fees for 71 irrigation units over two consecutive years. We also explore the results of 422 household surveys on the practice of institutions conducted in eight irrigation units with distinct duration and types of institutional experience. This work sheds new light on the dynamic formation and definition of institutional efficiency by highlighting the importance of farmers’ experience and empowerment in supporting adaptive institutions. We show that under the pressure of experienced and empowered appropriators, institutions can evolve and adapt to become more efficient. Irrigation schemes can only alleviate food insecurity when farmers are deeply involved in local institutions. This study shows their central role in correctly appropriating and provisioning the resource but also in using their knowledge and authority to critique the rules in place and promote the adaptation of institutions.

中文翻译：

---

肯尼亚灌溉计划的机构成功与任期之间的关系

在气候变化和缺水加剧的全球背景下，在撒哈拉以南非洲发展雨水农业仍很普遍的有效灌溉计划，可以大大支持粮食安全。但是，制定有效的灌溉计划极富挑战性，因此必须解决许多集体行动问题。自1980年代以来，大量研究探索了成功采取集体行动，在灌溉计划中可持续利用资源以及发展高效机构所需要的条件。尽管尚无关于成功，可持续或高效的治理计划或机构的共识，但人们普遍认为，长期存在的机构是成功的。然而，过去的工作大多描绘了给定的CPR中机构效率的同质和整体情况，而有限的研究已经调查了具有不同机构经验水平的拨款人之间在机构效率方面的差异。为了加深我们对制度效率的理解，本研究调查了一个灌溉计划中的拨付人如何在不同长度和类型的制度经验下实践制度。在现有文献的基础上，我们问制度效率如何与灌溉单位和水分配者的制度经验联系起来。为了回答这个研究问题，我们对肯尼亚的Mwea灌溉计划（MIS）进行了分析，自1950年代以来，该计划不仅持续而且不断扩展。我们分析了连续两年为71个灌溉单位支付的运行和维护（O＆M）费用。我们还探讨了在八个灌溉单位中进行的422户家庭机构实践调查的结果，这些机构具有不同的持续时间和机构经验类型。这项工作通过强调农民经验和赋权在支持适应性制度中的重要性，为制度效率的动态形成和定义提供了新的思路。我们表明，在经验丰富且权能较高的挪用者的压力下，机构可以发展并适应以提高效率。只有当农民深入参与地方机构时，灌溉计划才能缓解粮食不安全状况。