Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-HAROS, Benito. Irrigation Module 02-Salvatierra, State of Guanajuato: origin and continuity. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2012, vol.9, n.2, pp.91-105. ISSN 1870-5472.

Irrigation systems in the world are made up of two basic components: on the one hand, the technical part that includes infrastructure and, on the other, the social component that refers to the organization for managing and building infrastructure. In the case of Module 02-Salvatierra, the origin of infrastructure dates back to Pre-Hispanic times. That infrastructure was abandoned when the necessary social organization was not developed, in order to fend off attacks from other ethnic groups, thus losing the knowledge associated to irrigation. Then, in the second half of the 16^th Century, construction of irrigation channels from Lerma River began; this practice continued during the 17^th Century until water supply became a source of conflict among haciendas. These conflicts lasted until the beginning of the 20^th Century. It seems that it was the creation of Irrigation District 011 Alto Río Lerma that fostered the social reconfiguration linked to irrigation water that was maintained until 1992, when infrastructure was transferred to the Users' Association, which holds its administration, maintenance and general operation until today.

Keywords : irrigation administration; irrigation district; water management; social organization and self-management.

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