Experiences and Lesson Learned from AgWA-FAO program in Africa

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1 Experiences and Lesson Learned from AgWA-FAO program in Africa International Symposium on Rainwater Harvesting and Resilience Addis Ababa, June Fethi Lebdi, AgWA Coordinator

2 The context - Rainfed agriculture in Africa Arable land (million ha) Rainfed area (million ha) Africa Northern Africa Sub-Saharan Africa % of rainfed area - 80% of Ugandans depend on rainfed farming which covers 60% of export earnings (CDKN) - In Burkina Faso there are 3.5 millions ha of farming land of which 0.68% is irrigated (INERA); - In Morocco there are 8.4 million ha of farming land of which 1.5 millions ha are irrigated (potential of 1.6) (Aquastat)

3 Countries overview

4 Burkina Faso is recurrently hit by droughts that curb agricultural production; Precipitations range between 500 mm/yr in the north and over 1000 mm/yr in the south-west The extreme droughts of the 70s raised the attention on the issue and consequently triggered numerous interventions with strong WH components (e.g. GERES, PAF) (Source: Atlante de l Afrique, 2005)

5 Zai pits (Source: F. Sambalino) Local practice originated in the northern province of Yatenga. It is now also spread all over the central plateau; Dug during the dry season and enriched with composted manure; Coupled with stone lines and stone bunds; Yield can be as high as 1500 kg/ha with good use of FYM; OM is the limiting factor to higher productivity.

6 Cordon Pierraux Used on gentle slopes to slow down runoff, spread it and augment infiltration; Used in conjunction with Zai pits and demi-lunes; Can be implemented step-wise over the years as resources become available; Stones are often the limiting factor. (Source: J. van der Zaag)

7 Private water harvesting ponds Government initiative to provide loans and technical assistance to construct over ponds (ca. 300 m 3 ); Used for SSI in small vegetable gardens but designed to water 0.25 ha of Maize; Promoted all over the country, but started from local initiative near Ouagadougou (Rawalgue). (Source: F. Sambalino)

8 Morocco Precipitations range between 1200 mm/year in the Rif in the North and < 100 mm/year in the south and on the fringes of the Sahara; In most of the country, crop production is not possible without some forms of irrigation or WH. Source: E. Roose

9 Morocco Water Harvesting in Morocco In the Rif: Metfias, diversion weirs, trenches, and terraces; In the Semi-arid Areas:, Metfias, terraces, stone and soil bunds, check-dams; In the South: Metfias, water spreading weir, spate irrigation and Khettara.

10 Morocco Metfia Cisterns In arid and semi-arid areas Great variation in size and design; Communal or private; Multiple uses, sometimes SSI of small vegetable gardens; Good government support.

11 Morocco Jessours In arid areas, to harvest water from degraded lateral slopes; Earthen embankment (Tabia) across dry valleys; To capture water and build up fertile soil; Equipped with a lateral spillway;

12 Morocco Lac Collinaire and Liman At the confluence of two (Liman) or three valleys (lac collinaire); It is being spread on the hills and higher valleys;

13 Morocco Spate irrigation Use of flash floods for production purposes; Common on the southern side of the Haute Atlas where precipitations are < 200 mm/year; Can be spread in all arid regions where a wadi and an appropriate topography are present.

14 UGANDA Bimodal rainfall pattern that is more suitable for rainfed production; Water harvesting for crop production is not well spread except in few locations (e.g. the southwest).

15 UGANDA Trash-lines Improved following a participatory process (ISWC) Crop residues and weeds are heaped in mounds along contour lines; Preferred to physical structures because they require less work; Higher yield near the trash-line;

16 UGANDA Terraces Common in the Kabale district (SW) and surrounding hills; As the population is increasing their use is spreading also in more gentle landscapes intensification;

17 UGANDA Valley dams/tanks built in Karamoja and in the cattle corridor; They are used to water cattle even though some first experiences with SSI are present; Smaller ponds constructed by MoA (with drip - SSI).

18 Considerations The downstream Externalities of (small) WH Downstream effects - Very few studies available; - There are examples of reduced dam impounding, but also examples of Groundwater Recharge

19 Considerations Critchley, 2012: an increasing number of studies show that when these small water harvesting interventions become numerous they can have an aggregate impact downstream Bouma et al., 2011: The results indicate that the downstream impacts are considerable and that net benefits are insufficient to pay back investment costs Nyssen et al., 2010: Emerging wells and irrigation are other indicators for improved water supply in the managed catchment. Cropped fields in the gullies indicate that farmers are less frightened for the destructive effects of flash floods. Aboaubdillah, 2009: The simulation results have clearly shown that contour ridges (considered as pothole in this study) within the watershed have an important role of the retention of sediments; whereas, they showed to have an impact on the hydrologic regime in the catchment by reducing the surface runoff by 32 %.

20 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Burkina Faso Morocco Uganda Diagnostic studies Mapping of past initiatives and opportunities is being prepared (INERA-MoA- WaHaRA) Many studies are available or in the process (Roose, AGIRE factsheets) Scattered information, no study at national level; Political Agenda WH high up in the agenda (PNSR) WH high up in the agenda (Maroc Vert) Only few technologies are prioritized (Valley dams), but present in main policy (NDP) WH on the ground Some regions have been changed by a farmer movement promoting in situ WH; Relevant initiatives in promoting WH ponds and SSI Water harvesting in many forms throughout the country; WH and valorisation of production coupled to boost benefits; Lower adoption of WH measures except valley tanks in the cattle belt and in Karamoja; Presence of local agronomic measures to upscale (trashlines, mulching)

21 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Burkina Faso Morocco Uganda Agricultural Extension System (AES) AES at municipal level, but under funded; AES restructured (ONCA--CCA) NAADS disbanded, due to mismanagement and corruption; Education and Research Inera, 2iE have a strong focus on AWM; At university level WH can be strengthened; CAP-Matourkou can be a key entry to technician formation IAV, INRA, ENAM cover aspects on WH, but could benefit of specific courses; Some technical schools that form technicians have WH in their programs; Research need strengthening on WH; Specific courses on WH are lacking; Need of trainings on landscape approach that integrates disciplines Crosscutting Lack of information on downstream externalities Excellent potential to support SSI

22 (Some) RECOMMENDATIONS Burkina Faso Morocco Uganda Technical Fertility management enhancement (vermicomposting, rock dust, micro-dosing); Promote cheap carts for stone transportation; Siltation of Lac Collinair can be curbed with SWC; WH and Groundwater recharge against salinity Valley tanks coupled with capacity building; WH demonstration plot should be affordable; Control ET, leakge and siltation from ponds Couple road development with WH and SSI Build up on local initiatives and aim to boost short term benefits Couple fertility management with WH Work at landscape level and promoting Recharge, Retention and Reuse (3R) WH storage developed jointly with skills of users Capacity building and knowledge sharing Farmers innovators and local champions Farmers Field Schools Exchange visits and in-country as well as inter country knowledge exchange Capacity building of government staff Curricula strengthening On the job coaching of technician

23 (Some) RECOMMENDATIONS Burkina Faso Morocco Uganda Institutional/ financing Research Support collaboration between MASA and others Make farming appealing to young farmers where suffering from outmigration; Support the newly created ONCA; Boost force on account system to support private investments or support private contractors; NAADS is not a good option for the project; Landscape approach that goes beyond IWRM embed in a cross sectorial visions/policy; Endorsement of national guidelines; Differentiate interventions according to livelihoods and AEZ; Policy are generally satisfying but the implementation is lacking in transparency and resources; Coordination between ministries; Private investment support loans, MF Research downstream and off-stream effects of WH; Document successful stories and showcase them; Investigate low-input options for small holder farmers (Participatory Action Research); Joint research between institutes and disciplines;

24 THANK YOU