1. Solutions to agricultural water management Brussels 13 April 2011 Charlotte de Fraiture

2. The designations employed and the presentation of material in the map(s) do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers. 240 million in sub-Saharan Africa

3. Water Scarcity 2000 1 billion people live in areas where water is physically scarce 1.5 billion people live in areas where access to water is a problem

4. Of which 62% in just three countries: South Africa, Madagascar and Sudan irrigated rainfed

6. Technologies for smallholder farmers e.g. Low cost water lifting devices (pumps) Low cost application technologies (drip) Technologies to capture and store rainwater in reservoirs, groundwater or root zone - (water harvesting) Soil and water conservation technologies Watershed management AND All the factors that enable them to be used e.g. policies, institutions, finance, training… Technologies for smallholder farmers e.g. Low cost water lifting devices (pumps) Low cost application technologies (drip) Technologies to capture and store rainwater in reservoirs, groundwater or root zone - (water harvesting) Soil and water conservation technologies Watershed management AND All the factors that enable them to be used e.g. policies, institutions, finance, training… Large untapped potential of smallholder private irrigation or Agricultural Water Management (AWM) – sometimes referred to as the informal irrigation sector

7. Initiated and financed by smallholder farmers themselves Owned and managed individually or in small informal groups Dynamic, market driven, not regulated Until recently limited recognition and support from governments, NGOs and donors Diversity of water sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs and shallow groundwater Cash crops grown for local markets Initiated and financed by smallholder farmers themselves Owned and managed individually or in small informal groups Dynamic, market driven, not regulated Until recently limited recognition and support from governments, NGOs and donors Diversity of water sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs and shallow groundwater Cash crops grown for local markets

8. Type – technology No. of farmers Area under irrigation Investment costs USD per ha Main crop Public irrigation schemes11,0007,185 ha10,000 – 15,000Rice Small reservoirs25,0006,000 ha6,000 – 15,000Rice/vegetables Motorized pumps160,000120,000 ha500-1000Vegetables Buckets, watering cans335,00066,000 ha<25Vegetables Treadle pumps< 100< 20 ha500Vegetables Comparison of Ghana’s Formal and Smallholder Irrigation Sectors The Smallholder AWM Context The smallholder private sector is vibrant and growing. In India more than 50% of the irrigated area receives its water from pumps and tubewells owned and managed by smallholders. In many African countries the smallholder private sector is more important than public irrigation in terms of number of farmers involved and the value of the production. The Smallholder AWM Context The smallholder private sector is vibrant and growing. In India more than 50% of the irrigated area receives its water from pumps and tubewells owned and managed by smallholders. In many African countries the smallholder private sector is more important than public irrigation in terms of number of farmers involved and the value of the production.

9. Private Smallholder AWM: Increased access to water for additional income when farmers need it most Ethiopia: 70% of farmers in 2 districts depend solely on rainfed staple crops, while 30% derive additional income from irrigating high value vegetable crops. Ghana: Small private irrigation provides additional income of US$200-$840 for smallholder farmers. Tanzania: Improved rainwater management can increase yields > 150%. 50% of cash income is derived from dry season vegetables Madhya Pradesh, India: Decentralized rainwater harvesting structures can increase incomes >70% by expanding dry season cropping and livestock options. SSA: most smallholders use manual methods (buckets, watering cans. Demand for affordable technologies is high; information and finance are main bottle necks

10. Lack of data on smallholder AWM to guide policy and investment Many national agricultural statistics do not include information on area irrigated using small scale private AWM. Lack of choice and information about AWM type, quality, price, O&M for farmer decision-making Limited stocks and/or single technology promotion often limits choice. Dealers in rural areas often lack the knowledge to advise farmers on what technology is most suitable for their situation, and formal extension services often concentrated on canal users. Lack of affordable financing for farmers and dealers This was a key constraint highlighted in the surveys. Some specific challenges include: Significant price variations for same make/model (up to 50% found in Zambia). Taxes on imported AWMs (>37% of motor pump price in Ethiopia) High interest rates (in India, certain AWMs do not qualify for agricultural (concessionary) loans, with financing only available through much higher commercial rates). Investment in this sector can benefit millions of poor men and women through additional income and improved food security and nutrition. The best strategy is to treat farmers as customers with information to make well-informed decisions and offer a wide range of alternatives (in terms of price, quality and financing), leaving the technology choice to farmers (and the market).

11. Improve the value chain Enhance knowledge flow Ensure technology access for all Rethink energy and AWM Adopt Watershed perspective Solution pathways 5432 1 Donors, government & private sector Activity 2a Reduce import barriers and taxes Activity 2b Develop registry of dealers Activity 2c Provide credit to dealers to enlarge their stock Activity 1a Empower farmers with information to make informed decisions on technology choice Activity 1b Ensure farmers’ access to horticulture and marketing information Activity 3c Pilot irrigation service providers concept Activity 4a Stimulate alternative energy sources Activity 5a Assess possible environmental impacts at multiple scales Activity 3a Explore and pilot financial instruments Activity 5b Recognize and address resource conflicts Activity 2d Improve market infrastructure & address middlemen monopoly Activity 4b Consider AWM in electrification plans and policies

12. Improve the value chain 2 Government & private sector Activity 2a Reduce import barriers and taxes Activity 2b Develop registry of dealers Activity 2c Provide credit to dealers to enlarge their stock Activity 2d Improve market infrastructure & address middlemen monopoly What needs fixing: Import duties and taxes No quality control, distorted price- quality relation Very limited choice in local market Improve the value chain

13. Enhance knowledge flow Ensure technology access for all Rethink energy and AWM Adopt Watershed perspective Solution pathways 5432 1 Donors, government & private sector Activity 2a Reduce import barriers and taxes Activity 2b Develop registry of dealers Activity 2c Provide credit to dealers to enlarge their stock Activity 1a Empower farmers with information to make informed decisions on technology choice Activity 1b Ensure farmers’ access to horticulture and marketing information Activity 3c Pilot irrigation service providers concept Activity 4a Stimulate alternative energy sources Activity 5a Assess possible environmental impacts at multiple scales Activity 3a Explore and pilot financial instruments Activity 5b Recognize and address resource conflicts Activity 2d Improve market infrastructure & address middlemen monopoly Activity 4b Consider AWM in electrification plans and policies

14. Adopt watershed approach 5 Government & donors Activity 5a Assess & monitor possible environmental impacts Activity 5b Recognize and address resource conflicts Activity 5c Multiple interventions & multiple use approach What needs fixing: Environmental issues Resource conflicts No regulations Adopt a watershed approach

15. Scaling Up—Tanzania: Prioritizing AWM for smallholders 1.Where does water matter for rural livelihoods ? 2.Where are the rural people and how poor are they ? 3.Is there enough water ?

17. Opportunity Large untapped potential Groundwater is preferred resource Higher productivity Relative low investment costs South- Asia’s example of poverty alleviation But: How much groundwater is available and where? Lack suitable maps Sustainability of use South-Asia’s example of groundwater overdraft Drilling capacity & costs Availability of water lifting devices Groundwater for agriculture: an unknown and untapped resource AWM Solutions 1.Map water resources for agricultural use (volumes and depth) at appropriate scale 2.Regulation, monitoring, licenses. 3.Balance abstraction and recharge 4.Train local technician in cheap drilling methods 5.Ban import duties on drilling equipment