updated: 12.05.08
pattern
Communal Irrigation Development Project

The project supported the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) communal irrigations systems scheme in areas that have a potential for substantial increases in production through application of appropriate water control measures. Nearly all the farmers within the area of the communal irrigation scheme are smallholders, with farms averaging about 1.4 ha, compared to the national average of 3.5 ha. Since farm income is low, farmers have to resort to off-farm employment, although it generally does not help reduce their poverty.

The project’s objectives were to increase incomes, employment and nutritional levels of smallholder households, to support the national programme of communal irrigation development and farmers’ participation in its design and implementation, and to strengthen NIA’s organizational and managerial capacity.

Activities included construction and rehabilitation of irrigation systems, strengthening provincial irrigation offices, expanding training facilities, building rural roads, monitoring and evaluating, and strengthening NIA’s financial reporting system.

Source: IFAD

In this section
Contact information

Mr Sana Jatta
Country programme manager
IFAD
Via Paolo di Dono, 44
00142 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 0654592446
Fax: +39 0654593446
s.jatta@ifad.org

Facts and figures

Total cost: US$121.8 million

IFAD loan: US$12.0 million

Duration: 1983-1990

Geographical area: nationwide

Directly benefiting: 24,000 households

Cofinancing: World Bank: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (US$71.1 million)

Status: closed

Partners

National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

World Bank