Centre for Water and Development
Director
Department of Development Studies
Professor of Development Studies
Centre of Contemporary Central Asia and the Caucasus
Academic Staff
SOAS South Asia Institute
Academic staff
Research Cluster Member
Food Studies Centre
Member
My research focuses on the relationship between water/natural resources and development. It focuses on agricultural water use (irrigation), and its intensifying interlinkage with urban and industrial water use, with a geographical focus in South Asia and Central Asia. Theoretical emphases are the following:
The cultural political economy of (agricultural) water use, management and governance;
The comparative study of the politics of water/natural resources;
Processes of boundary work in the water/natural resources sector.
Cultural political economy of water
My research explores whether a cultural political economy perspective on (agricultural) water use, management and governance can help to develop new, interdisciplinary approaches to water and development in contemporary capitalism, incorporating insights and perspectives from political economy, political ecology and critical institutionalism. I have a specific interest in water infrastructure and landscapes as forms of ‘logistical power’. Field research in Gujarat, India on the uses and meaning of water (from the Sardar Sarovar Project) is the main research activity under this emphasis.
Comparative water/natural resources politics
My study of the politics of water and natural resources aims to employ and develop qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) through a method called stepwise small/medium-N QCA, grounded in critical realist ontology and epistemology. The research investigates the contextuality of water/natural resources (knowledge) and its implications for theory development and policy design. This emphasis will be pursued from February 2019 as the coordinator of the EU H2020 supported collaborative research project AGRUMIG on agriculture and migration in seven countries (Morocco, Moldova, Ethiopia, Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Thailand and China).
Boundary work
I am interested in ‘boundary processes’ and ‘boundary work’ in the science and in the practice of the water/natural resources sector (interdisciplinarity and the science policy interface). I look at the boundary concepts, objects and settings involved in such processes and work. The research is particularly interested in analysing boundary processes in situations of social differentiation, polarisation and conflict. This emphasis is presently implemented through literature study on inter- and transdiciplinarity.
Gender, Migration and Rural Livelihoods in Uzbekistan in Times of Change
Nizamedinkhodjayeva, N., Bock, B.B. and Mollinga, Peter (2017). In: Bock, B.B., (eds.) and Shortall, Sally, (eds.), Gender and Rural Globalization: International Perspectives on Gender and Rural Development. Wallingford, Oxford; Boston, MA: Cabi, pp 34-51
Caught in a web – Travails of a Machine Tractor Park in Khorezm, Uzbekistan
Mollinga, Peter (2015). In: Lamers, John P. A., (eds.), Khamzina, Asia, (eds.), Rudenko, Inna, (eds.) and Vlek, Paul L. G., (eds.), Restructuring land allocation, water use and agricultural value chains. Technologies, policies and practices for the lower Amudarya region. Goettingen: V and R Unipress; Bonn University Press, pp 317-340
Boundary concepts for the interdisciplinary analysis of irrigation water management in South Asia
Mollinga, Peter (2013). In: Roth, Dik, (eds.) and Vincent, Linden, (eds.), Controlling the water: Matching technology and institutions in irrigation and water management in India and Nepal. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, pp 342-365
When policy meets reality: The embeddedness and contestation of water resources management
Mollinga, Peter and Bhat, Anjali (2010). In: Mollinga, Peter, (eds.), Bhat, Anjali, (eds.) and Saravanan, V. S., (eds.), When policy meets reality: Political dynamics and the practice of integration in water resources management reform. Berlin: LIT Verlag, pp 1-25
Water Users Associations in Uzbekistan: the introduction of a new institutional arrangement for local water management
Yalcin, Resul and Mollinga, Peter (2010). In: Mollinga, Peter, (eds.), Bhat, Anjali, (eds.) and Saravanan, V. S., (eds.), When policy meets reality: Political dynamics and the practice of integration in water resources management reform. Berlin: LIT Verlag, pp 97-126
Water, war and reconstruction irrigation management in the Kunduz region, Afghanistan
Abdullayev, I., Mielke, K., Mollinga, Peter, Monsees, J., Schetter, Conrad, Shah, U. and ter Steege, B. (2010). In: Arsel, Murat, (eds.) and Spoor, Max, (eds.), Water, Environmental Security and Sustainable Rural Development: Conflict and cooperation in Central Asia. Abingdon: Routledge, pp 21-49
Field research methodology as boundary work: An introduction
Mollinga, Peter (2008). In: Wall, Caleb R.L., (eds.) and Mollinga, Peter, (eds.), Fieldwork in difficult environments. Methodology as boundary work in development research. Berlin: LIT Verlag, pp 1-17
Water policy – Water politics: Social engineering and strategic action in water sector reform
Mollinga, Peter (2008). In: Scheumann, Waltina, (eds.), Neubert, Susanne, (eds.) and Kipping, Martin, (eds.), Water Politics and Development Cooperation: Local Power Plays and Global Governance. Berlin: Springer Verlag, pp 1-29
Policy and Institutional Reform Processes for Sustainable Agricultural Water Management: The Art of the Possible
Merrey, Douglas J., Meinzen-Dick, Ruth, Mollinga, Peter and Karar, Eiman (2007). In: Molden, David, (ed.), Water for Food Water for Life: A Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture. London: Earthscan, pp 193-231
IWRM in South Asia: A concept looking for a constituency
Mollinga, Peter (2006). In: Mollinga, Peter, (eds.), Dixit, Ajaya, (eds.) and Athukorala, Kusum, (eds.), Integrated water resources management in South Asia. New Delhi: Sage, pp 21-37
Gender dimensions of rural livelihoods in Uzbekistan: the importance of emergent entrepreneurship and migration
Bock, B.B. and Mollinga, Peter (2006). In: Majerová, Věra, (ed.), Countryside - our world : collection of papers of international conference. Prague: Ceska zemedelska univerzita v Praze (Czech University of Agriculture Prague), pp 72-79
Investing in Farmer Networks for Inclusive Irrigation Policy Processes in South India
Mollinga, Peter and Doraiswamy, R. (2005). Shaping the Future of Water for Agriculture: A sourcebook for investment in agricultural water management. Washington D.C.: The World Bank/Agriculture and Rural Development, pp 96-99
Investing in Farmer Networks for Inclusive Irrigation Policy Processes in South India
Mollinga, Peter and Doraiswamy, R. (2005). Shaping the Future of Water for Agriculture: A sourcebook for investment in agricultural water management. Washington D.C.: The World Bank/Agriculture and Rural Development, pp 96-99
Power in motion: A critical assessment of canal irrigation reform in India
Mollinga, Peter (2002). In: Hooja, Rakesh, (eds.), Pangare, Ganesh, (eds.) and Raju, K.V., (eds.), Users in water management. The Andhra model and its replicability in India. Jaipur and New Delhi: Rawat Publications
The inevitability of reform: Towards alternative approaches for canal irrigation development in India
Mollinga, Peter (2000). In: Hooja, Rakesh, (eds.) and Joshi, L.K., (eds.), Participatory Irrigation Management: Paradigm for the 21st century (Vol. 2). Jaipur and New Delhi: Rawat Publications, pp 67-97
Introduction to Water for food and rural development: Approaches and initiatives in South Asia
Mollinga, Peter (2000). In: Mollinga, Peter, (ed.), Water for food and rural development: Approaches and initiatives in South Asia. New Delhi: Sage, pp 13-29
The policy process in irrigation reform: technology rural development and politics
Mollinga, Peter (1999). In: Schrevel, A., (ed.), Water and food security in (semi-) arid areas: Proceedings of the second Wageningen Water Workshop 2-4 November 1998: Special Report. Wageningen: ILRI (International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement), pp 127-144
Mollinga, Peter (1998). In: van Vuren, Gerrit, (ed.), Farmers’ participation in water management: Proceedings of the 2nd Netherlands National ICID day. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema, pp 63-68
Equity and accountability: Water distribution in a South Indian canal irrigation system
Mollinga, Peter (1998). In: Boelens, Rutgerd, (eds.), Dávila, Gloria, (eds.) and Menchu, Rigoberta, (eds.), Searching for equity: Conceptions of justice and equity in peasant irrigation. Assen: Van Gorcum Ltd, pp 143-160
Constraints and opportunities for improving irrigation management in a water scarce but waterlogged area in Haryana, India
Jacobs, C., de Jong, Jeroen, Mollinga, Peter and Bastiaansen, W.G.M. (1997). In: de Jager, James M., (eds.), Vermes, Laszlo P., (eds.) and Ragab, Ragab, (eds.), Sustainable irrigation in areas of water scarcity and drought. Proceedings of the International Workshop organised by ICID, Oxford, September 1997. Oxford: ICID (International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage)
The politics of water distribution: Negotiating resource use in a South Indian canal irrigation system
Mollinga, Peter and van Straaten, C.J.M. (1996). In: Howsam, Peter, (eds.) and Carter, Richard, (eds.), Water policy: Allocation and management in practice: Proceedings of the International Conference on Water Policy, held at Cranfield University, 23-24 September 1996. London: E and F.N. Spon, pp 243-250
Signposts of struggle: Pipe outlets as the material interface between water users and the state in a South Indian large scale irrigation system
Mollinga, Peter and Bolding, Alex (1996). In: Diemer, Geert, (eds.) and Huibers, Frans P., (eds.), Crops, water and people: Water allocation practices of farmers and engineers. London: Practical Action Publishing, pp 11-33
Irrigation management and agrarian change: Contested water control in a South Indian canal system
Mollinga, Peter (1995). In: Endeveld, M., (eds.) and Agrarian Questions Organising Committee, The, (eds.), Proceedings International Congress Agrarian questions: the politics of farming anno 1995. Vol. 3. Wageningen 22-24 May 1995.. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Wageningen Agricultural University, pp 1055-1066
Constituencies and commands: The role of politicians in water control in a South Indian large scale canal irrigation system
Mollinga, Peter (1995). Proc. Int. Conf. Political economy of water in South Asia: rural and urban action and interactions. Madras. Vol.1. Wageningen Agricultural University, pp 226-240
Dia, Ibrahima S. and Mollinga, Peter (1993). In: Ubels, Jan, (eds.) and Horst, Lucas, (eds.), Irrigation design in Africa. Towards an interactive method. Wageningen: The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation (CTA), pp 22-40
Opening closed gates: recognising the social nature of irrigation artefacts
Kloezen, Wim and Mollinga, Peter (1992). In: Diemer, Geert, (eds.) and Slabbers, Jacques, (eds.), Irrigators and engineers: Essays in honour of Lucas Horst. Amsterdam: Thesis Publishers, pp 53-63
Ieder is gelijk en heeft recht op water: waterverdeling bij de Haalpulaar in de Senegalvallei
Meijers, Ton and Mollinga, Peter (1991). In: Diemer, Geert, (eds.) and Slabbers, Jacques, (eds.), Irrigatietechniek en cultuur. Opvattingen van boeren en ingenieurs over de verdeling van water. Amsterdam: Thesis Publishers
Making sense of diversity in agrarian and rural change outcomes of labor out-migration through comparative analysis: First lessons from China, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal and Thailand
Microcredit for rural water supply and sanitation in the Mekong Delta: Policy implementation between the needs for clean water and ‘beautiful latrines'
Reis, Nadine and Mollinga, Peter (2009). Bonn: (Center for Development Research. ZEF Working Paper 49)
Reclaiming Drainage: Toward an Integrated Approach
Abdeldayem, Safwat, Hoevenaars, Jan, Mollinga, Peter, Scheumann, Waltina, Slootweg, Roel and van Steenbergen, Frank (2004). Washington D.C.: (The World Bank. Agriculture and Rural Development Report 1)
