PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT OF FARMER BENEFICIARIES IN NIA-ASSISTED IRRIGATION SYSTEM: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This systematic review evaluates literature on the participation and empowerment of farmer beneficiaries inirrigation systems, offering insights applicable to NIA-assisted systems in the Davao Region. Using thePRISMA framework, 16 peer-reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2025 were selected from an initialpool of 376 records. The review identified five key themes: determinants of participation, governance andinstitutional support, empowerment mechanisms, gender and equity considerations, and system performance andsustainability. Findings reveal that active farmer involvement in irrigation planning, management, andevaluation significantly enhances empowerment outcomes, including improved decision-making capacity,leadership skills, and organizational strength. Participation is influenced by factors such as land ownership,access to credit, institutional trust, and proximity to irrigation infrastructure. Empowerment is further facilitatedthrough gender-responsive policies, capacity-building initiatives, and strong institutional frameworks. Thereview concludes that sustainable and equitable irrigation governance requires participatory models thatprioritize inclusivity, local decision-making, and continuous capacity development.