More Effective and Sustainable - PowerPoint Presentation

1. More Effective and Sustainable Investments in Water for Poverty ReductionThe first phase of the GCP/INT/167/IWM project aimed to conduct a needs assessment analysis that allowed the identification of needs, relevance, potential and opportunities for improving the impact and effectiveness of agricultural water management interventions in terms of: research technical assistance training policy support The methodology followed was structured in five main steps: (1) stakeholders’ analysis; (2) inception workshop; (3) interviews and field visits; (4) discussion with country team on the preliminary results; and (5) a validation workshop. All these steps culminated in the preparation of the needs assessment report. This brief presents the main findings of such report.MADAGASCAR2. MethodologyStakeholders consulted 10-15 July 2015Stakeholders from the following organizations/projects with interest and influence in AWM participated in the workshop and/or were interviewed:Ministries: Agriculture, Environment, Fisheries (including different departments)Rural Development Action Plan (PADR)FAO and IFAD representation in MadagascarProjects: AD2M, AVSF, SCAMPIS, BVPI, APDRA (including NGOs, WUAs, farmers, major of town, etc)Research: FOFIFA, GSDM Chamber of agricultureINNOVAGRIProgramme de Lutte Anti-Erosive (PLAE)2. Inception workshop 21 July 2015It gathered 18 stakeholders from the organizations listed in point #1. The following activities were completed:project was presentedthe stakeholders to interview and the projects to visit were defined the five top priorities in AWM were defined based on agreed criteria (including top 3 technologies)main constraints related to those priorities were identified3. Interviews and field visits 27 July – 19 August 20151. Introduction4. Validation workshop 16 September 2015Overview of the 53 people interviewedOverview of field visitsMenabe RegionAD2M Project (IFAD)Drip irrigationVakinankaratra RegionMANITATRA Project Semi sous-couvert végétal (SCV) Vakinankaratra RegionAPDRA Project Rizi-piscicultureMAIN FINDINGS OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT EXERCISEPreapared by FAO’s Land and Water Division in collaboration with IWMIIt gathered 12 stakeholders from some of the organizations listed in point #1.

2. More Effective and Sustainable Investments in Water for Poverty ReductionThe criteria to define most relevant AWM interventions in the country were agreed upon in the inception workshop and these are the following: 1. Contribution to poverty reduction | 2. Feasibility of implementation | 3. Sustainable resource use4. Potential for upscaling | 5. Gender and equity issuesMAIN FINDINGS OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT EXERCISEMADAGASCAR3. Relevant AWM interventions in the country4. Identified benefits and constraints of the three most relevant AWM interventionsBased on that criteria, the following AWM interventions were prioritized during the inception workshop:Direct seeding mulch based systems (SCV) Drip irrigationRizipiscicultureTo develop a permanent soil cover by associating the main crop with cover crops such as fodder crops (stylo), cowpea, rattlepods (crotalaria), etc. Practiced in alluvial soils around valley bottoms.Rice bunds are made high enough to retain sufficient water to grow fish. The plots have trenches and sumps,  to be used as fish refuges, deep enough to so there is still water for fish in dry periods.It is commonly practiced in Madagascar.The technology was promoted by the SCAMPI Project (IFAD co-funded), that distributed drip irrigation kits together with treadle pumps. This kits are now produced locally, which reduces costs of equipment.Drip irrigation is still relatively unknown to many farmers in the country.BenefitsConstraintsWater and soil conservation (preserving fertility)Soil fixation (limiting soil erosion)Reduction of labour Reduction of fertilizer needsEfficient way to fight weeds (after 2-3 first years)Climate change adaptationIncrease in production (after a cycle of 4-5 years)Increased revenues (after a cycle of 4-5 years)The first 4-5 years, when cover is not effective enough, there is not economic benefits and significant technical challenges.Lack of financial resourcesLack of an specific financial mechanismLack of information about this intervention outside pilot areasNegative attitude of farmers towards new technologiesDirect seeding mulch based systems (SCV)BenefitsConstraintsIncrease in water use efficiencyIncrease in water productivityPossibility of increasing area under irrigationIncreased incomes and food securityAvailability and information about the technology and repair and maintenance service. Financial mechanism. Theft of equipment.Drip irrigation

3. More Effective and Sustainable Investments in Water for Poverty ReductionMAIN FINDINGS OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT EXERCISEMADAGASCARRizipiscicultureBenefitsConstraintsIncreased rice productivity (up to 10%)Reduced number of weedsImproved fertilizationBetter oxygenation of soilStimulates Panicle branchingIncreased incomes and food securityHealth issues: risk of illnessRisk of drying or excessive flooding of fieldsTheft of fishAccess to markets, particularly in remote areasThe production and transport of fingerlings to rice plots is costlyField of actionProposed improvements ResearchOn how to adapt the direct seeding mulch based systems (SCV) technique in arid and semi-arid regions of the country.On financial and socio-economic mechanisms to support vulnerable farmers in the adoption of SCV and other soil and water conservation measures as well as drip irrigation.On phytosanitary aspects of rizipisciculture and fish species/rice varieties that are most suitable to different areas in the country.On the real capacity of farmers to undertake the operation and maintenance of AWM infrastructure in agreement with 2014-042 bill.Technical assistance To establish a pilot information system to help farmers identify possible AWM activities.To support the operationalization of the Rural Information system (SIR) to support the uptake and implementation of AWM interventions.Support the integration of SCV and other soil and water conservation measures as well as drip irrigation and rizipisciculture in agricultural training centers.Capacity developmentBuild capacity of technicians on SCV, drip irrigation and rizipisciculture (on available techniques, implementation and O&M).To support the upscaling of trainings to technical advisors in AWM and soil and water conservation measures (in the framework of GSDM interventions).To extend the FORMAPROD project (funded by IFAD), in order to provide trainings to build the capacity of vulnerable farmers in SCV and other soil and water conservation measures as well as drip irrigation and rizipisciculture.Policy support To support the formulation of regulations to apply the 2014-042 bill, with a focus on ensuring the sustainability of Operation and Maintenance systems in the country.5. Stakeholder priorities for improving AWM interventions