Collective management of irrigation water and consultation with local stakeholders in the municipality of Môle Saint-Nicolas in Haïti

In Haiti, despite its water potential and the implementation of participatory irrigation management mechanisms, sustainable water use remains limited. This research aims to analyze the collective management of irrigation water in rehabilitated irrigation schemes in the commune of Môle Saint-Nicolas, Haiti. More specifically, it examines how stakeholders in irrigation schemes and micro-watersheds coordinate to preserve water resources. This research combines three qualitative methods: semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participant observation. In addition, archives from associations, the Ministry of Agriculture, and NGOs provided secondary data to complement the primary data collected during the survey. The analysis is based on the eight principles of commons management according to Elinor Ostrom’s theory. The results of this research show that current practices and rules implemented by irrigated area stakeholders for the collective management of irrigation water adhere to the principles of good water resource governance established by Ostrom. Consequently, royalty collection, water distribution rules, and conflict management are consistent with the regulatory framework established by local stakeholders. However, extreme weather events and a lack of state support hamper the efforts of local stakeholders to effectively manage irrigated areas. This leads to the degradation of hydro-agricultural infrastructure despite good collaboration between stakeholders. Limited economic resources compromise their ability to sustain the irrigation system without external support (state, NGOs). This research thus contributes to deepening knowledge on water governance through the coordination of local stakeholders, taking into account the eight principles of joint resource management theorized by Elinor Ostrom.