COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY IN ANDEAN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS THROUGH INDICATORS OF EFFICIENT WATER USE IN AGRICULTURE

Globally, increasing competition for water and the effects of climate change have heightened the need to assess the sustainability of irrigation systems, particularly in strategic ecosystems such as the Andean páramos. However, there is a gap in methodological tools that integrate indicators adapted to community-based contexts and aligned with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (RAI Principles). This study aims to define indicators for evaluating the sustainability of community-managed irrigation systems in Ecuador. The MESMIS framework and the Delphi technique were applied using a participatory approach that involved community leaders, technicians, academics, and students. A total of 31 indicators were defined, organized into seven attributes and five dimensions (environmental, social, economic, political, and technological), and aligned with nine SDGs and seven RAI Principles. The results reveal critical issues related to water use efficiency, governance, equity, and system resilience. The proposed framework enables a comprehensive and context-specific evaluation of irrigation systems and provides a practical tool for public policy design. In conclusion, this research helps bridge the existing methodological gap and reinforces the role of community irrigation systems as key pillars for sustainable and resilient agriculture.