Does irrigation modernization enhance drought performance? Evidence from a qualitative comparative analysis

The increasing frequency and severity of droughts pose a serious threat to the functioning and sustainability of irrigation systems. Policymakers and practitioners have set forth high expectations that the modernization of irrigation systems would reduce agricultural water demand by increasing the efficiency of water application. How new technologies produce outcomes, however, is strongly interdependent with other variables relevant in the context of community-based irrigation management. Employing a qualitative comparative analysis, our study aims to uncover how modernization, in combination with other irrigation system characteristics, contributes to drought performance of irrigation management, as measured through the satisfaction of farmers with key community governance tasks during droughts. According to the results, micro-irrigation systems employ a relatively lower number of adaptation measures, the majority of which are supply-side oriented. Alternatively, furrow irrigation systems tend to rely on demand-side measures and depend more strongly on assembly participation when a relatively high number of measures are implemented. Our findings echo previous calls for renewed attention to solutions emerging from traditional irrigation systems and nuance irrigation modernization as the major solution to face droughts and water scarcity. The findings advocate for consideration of different responses of water user associations to drought for policy design. Moreover, efforts aimed at modernization should consider their effects on path dependencies, collective action dynamics, and environmental goals. • Qualitative comparative analysis reveals WUA characteristics that enhance drought performance. • Micro irrigation systems adopt fewer, mostly supply-side drought adaptation measures. • Furrow-irrigated systems favor demand-side measures and characterize by stronger assembly participation. • Traditional irrigation solutions warrant renewed attention alongside modernization. • Modernization policies should address path dependencies and collective action dynamics.