Dec. 82/Jan. 83 RAIN Page 30 landless or near landless. While most developing countries have introduced land reform programs, only a few have been successful because most did not significantly change the broader economic and political structures that determine the way resources are distributed. It is not necessary to go to Asia to observe large landowners receiving the benefits of public irrigation water. In the United States, the 1902 Reclamation Act provided irrigation water to owner-operated family-sized farms in 17 western states. While the legislation was generally effective, many individuals and corporations, such as Tenneco and Southern Pacific Railroad, own thousands of acres of land which receive large subsidies in the form of cheap water - at taxpayers' expense. Although the situation was protested by National Land for People, a small farmers organization, Congress recently passed legislation which allows continuation of the subsidies for these large landowners. Efforts by development agencies to assist countries to improve their water supplies are limited by the political context in which they operate. An effective redistribution of resources, such as land or water, involves addressing issues of economic and political power, whether it is in the United States or a developing nation. Making major reforms that are intended to restore or enable equity in development projects will be very difficult. Despite these limitations there are still many opportunities in the Third World for development projects that can reduce hunger and malnutrition. The most promising model of development is based on self-help and local participation. This participation means that people are no longer the subjects of development plans, but are active agents in their own development. There are many examples of successful development projects based on the principles of self-help and local participation. In the Matam region of Senegal, French development agencies have worked at the village level with farmers to develop an irrigation system. The average plot is 18 acres, and the farmers have increased both their production and income. They are organized to continue the project through a Producers Group which has over 1,330 members. For a detailed example of another self-help water project in Ghana, see RAIN Volume vm, Number 9. Initial data and examples about self-help development projects are being collected and analyzed. Indications are that the rural poor, working together, have the ability to direct their own development. As they start a project, they often find that they know more and can do more than they realized. Their self-confidence grows, organizational skills improve, and they begin to work on other areas of community life that need development. The process does not require massive assistance. But this type of development is slower than others. Some local development planners say it can take up to ten years for a project to become self-sustaining. Westerners are generally too impatient for this approach, but the reality is that effective development takes time. With land, water, and encouragement, the best hope for ending hunger is the determination and talents of the people who are now hungry.DO - Some of the material used in this article originally appeared in Hunger Notes, published by World Hunger Education Service (see access). Rob Baird is currently one ofour co-Administrators. Before joining us, he worked with the World Hunger Education Service and the Maryland Food Committee. ACCESS BIBLIOGRAPHY A Model for the Development ofa Self-Help Water Supply Program, by Colin Glennie, 1982, The World Bank, 1818 H St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433. lAnd for People: lAnd Tenure and the Very Poor, by Oaire Whittemore, 1981, Oxfam, Oxford England. Losing Ground: Environmental Stress and World Food Prospects, by Erik Eckholm, 1976, W W. Norton and Co., New York. More Water for Arid Lands: Promising Technologies and Research Opportunities, by the Board on Science and Technology for international Development, 1974, National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave., Washington D.C Self-Help and Popular Participation in Rural Water Systems, by Duncan Miller, 1979, OECD, 2 rue Andre-Pascal 75775 PARIS CELLEX 16, France. Excellent discussion, case studies, and bibliography on self-help and participation. Waterlilles: Tlte JOLlmal of Appropriate Water SLlpply alld Sallitati(lI/ Technologies, Intermediate Technology Publications, Ltd., 9 King Street London WC2 8HN, quarterly, $14 for individuals. $16 for organizations. ORGANIZATIONS Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Liaison Office for North America, 1776 F St., N.W., Suite 101, Washington, D.C 20437, 202-376-2306. Numerous publications on food and agriculture. International Institute for Environment and Development, 1302 18th St., N.W., Suite 501, Washington, D.C 20036, 202-462-0900. International policy studies in development in relation to the conservation of natural resources and the environment. Publication: Clean Water for All. World Hunger Education Service, 2035 PSt., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-223-2995. Information clearinghouse and education on global and national hunger and poverty issues. Publication: Hunger Notes, 10/yr., $lO/yr for individuals, $15/yr. for institutions. For additional books, organizations and journals on international development, see RAIN Volume VIn No.3.
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