Migration and marginal voices reshape irrigation management in Nepal

Farmer-managed irrigation systems—vital for food security across much of the developing world—depend heavily on sustained collective action. However, the growing trend of male out-migration has placed these systems under strain, raising concerns about their long-term viability.

The study, led by Stephanie Leder Buttner and financed by Formas, focused on irrigation systems in Nepal, explores how these community-managed resources are evolving as traditional labour structures shift. With many men leaving rural areas for work elsewhere, households and local economies are being reshaped, potentially opening new roles for women and other underrepresented groups.

Researchers are investigating how these demographic and social changes influence participation in irrigation governance. In particular, the project examines whether altered household dynamics and labour relations create opportunities for marginalized populations to take on more active roles in managing shared resources.

Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines field data with theoretical insights from translocality and feminist political ecology. This framework allows for a deeper understanding of how interconnected social and economic changes are transforming long-standing systems of cooperation.

The findings aim to recognise ways through which broader inclusion in resource management can strengthen collective action. Researchers suggest that such grassroots transformations may play a crucial role in promoting more equitable access to resources and enhancing food security in rural regions of the Global South.

As migration continues to reshape rural societies, the study highlights the potential for inclusive governance models to not only sustain but also revitalise essential infrastructure systems.

Similar research projects: 

The Future of Agrarian Mountain Livelihoods (FAML): Youth Aspiration and Irrigation Modernisation in Nepal

Read more about the project: 

Leder, S. et al. (2024): “Rural out-migration and water governance: Gender and social relations mediate and sustain irrigation systems in Nepal” World Development 177. 106544.