irrigated agriculture: areas of research for development in the lives project

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Philippe Lemperiere (IWMI)

LIVES Research Planning Workshop

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 26-28 March 2013

Irrigated agriculture: Areas of research for development

Research areas

1. Participatory rapid diagnosis and action planning (PRDA)

2. Water productivity and water use efficiency3. Market-oriented cropping systems and livestock

integration4. Comparative institutional analysis – WUAs5. Value chains analysis

1. PRDA WhyTo test a method / tool for demand-led extension serviceActivities (action research – extension approach)1.Action training of extension staffs2.Participatory performance assessment – comparison – constraints characterization3.Constraints identification and characterization4.Design and implementation of interventions5.M & E of interventions – CBAOutputExtension staffs trained to PRDA and more aware of factors influencing irrigation performance / PRDA manualOutcomeIncreased capacity of extension services, dissemination of PRDA

2. Water productivity & water use efficiencyWhyHow good/bad is WP ? How to increase WP for crops and livestock?Diagnosis research1.Assessment of WP, comparison across irrigated areasAction research2.Design and test water conservation and water allocation interventions3.M&E, CBA.Outputs4.Better knowledge on WP, constraints and opportunities5.Interventions to increase WP are validated / discardedOutcomes : documentation and dissemination of outputs

2. Water productivity & water use efficiencyExamples of action-research activities

Water conservation• Maintenance, upgrading of canals (reduce conveyance

losses)• Modernization: water control and partition structures, • On-farm water management, drip & sprinkler irrigation• Use of crop residues for livestock• On-farm water storage + pumps• Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater + pumpsWater allocation• Irrigation scheduling – equity issues• Introduction of fodder – livestock integration• Water management at watershed level• Multiple use of water

3. Market-oriented cropping systems & crops / livestock integration

WhyHow to improve farmers technologies and practices to better respond to market taking into account agronomic and environmental constraints & opportunities?Activities (action – research)1.Assessment of constraints/opportunities of market-oriented2.Test promising improved practices and technologies3.M&E – CBAOutputs4.Improved technologies & practices tested and validated5.Leaflets, manualsOutcomesDissemination within and beyond LIVES zones

3. Market-oriented cropping systems & crops / livestock integration

Examples of research-action activities• Diversification and specialization, staggered planting :

market opportunities and mitigation strategy• Test of new varieties• Leguminous and forage: relay cropping, intercropping• Organic fertilization, timing and quantity of fertilizers

application• Planting hays, insect traps, pheromones ? Biological control ?• Timing and quantity of pesticides application• On-farm or group-based production of insecticides• Equipments for grading (potato, tomato)• Equipments for weeding

4. Comparative analysis of institutions - WUAsWhyWhich type(s) organization are best suited for irrigation and watershed management and recover irrigation cost?Activities (action research)1.Review of international experience WUAs & IMT2.Comparative assessment of challenges and achievements3.Design, test and support to organizational innovations4.M&E: social, technical, financial sustainabilityOutputs5.Policy guidelines for establishment and operation of WUAs6.Guidelines for monitoring and CB of WUAs, plan interventions7.Guidelines on cost recovery; capacity & willingness to payOutcomesDissemination and use of guidelines

4. Comparative analysis of institutions - WUAs

Examples of diagnosis and research action-activities

• Membership issues (compulsory vs voluntary, criteria, rate)• Linkages of WUAs with coops or marketing groups• Water rights and negotiation process• By-laws, internal rules and regulations; enforcement• Conflict resolution mechanisms• Mechanisms for assessing and collection the ISF• Cost recovery issues and farmers’ capacity to pay• Farmers’ willingness to pay• Effectiveness of water distribution and maintenance work• Budgeting, book keeping, record keeping

5. Value chains analysisWhyHow does value chains of fruits and vegetables look like?How the value is added and shared along the VC links ?What are the rules and procedures, behaviors, level of information of VC actors?Activities (action and impact research)Mapping VCs of selected commodities beginning of projectCreate linkages, strengthening coop and marketing groupsMapping VCs at the end of projectOutcomesComparative assessments of VCs Impact assessment of LIVES interventionsOutputs: dissemination of lessons learnt

6. Impact assessment

WhyTo measure impacts of LIVES interventionsActivities (impact research1.Collect complementary / specific baseline data2.Participatory impact assessment and measure impacts against indicatorsOutcomesImpact assessment of LIVES interventionsPolicy recommendationsOutputsDissemination of lessons learnt.

Commodities by zonesVegetables Fruits

AmharaN. Gonder x x Garlic / bananaS. Wollo x x Onion, tomato, pepper / mangoW. Gojam x Potato, onion, pepper

TigrayEastern xx Onion, tomato, potato,garlic, pepper, cabbageCentral xx x Same veg as Eastern / orange

OromiaW. Shoa x x Potato / bananaE. Shoa xx Tomato, onionJimma x Potato

SNNPRGamo Gofa xx bananas, mangoSidama

Thank you