View
214
Download
0
Category
Tags:
Preview:
Citation preview
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 1
Blooming landscapes in semi-arid regions (Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad)
6th World Water Forum
Marseille, 12.-17.03.2012
Practical Solutions for
Innovative Water-Management
By Dr. Elisabeth van den Akker and Martina Wegner, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ)
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 2
Background
Over the last five decades, the environmental situation in the Sahel has deteriorated dramatically.
The degradation of the environment is manifested by declining crop yields and by reduction of land suitable for farming.
This leads to food insecurity and higher vulnerability to the effects of climate change (e.g. more or fewer extreme weather events).
As a consequence, in order to look for additional income opportunities, many men are forced to migrate to neighbouring countries.
Female headed households belong to the most vulnerable social groups in these countries.
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 3
The initiative
In Niger, Tchad and Burkina Faso, since the early nineties, a promising approach has been developed to restore eroded valley plains which have naturally a high potential for agricultural production: the construction of so-called “water spreading weirs”
It helped thousands of households to secure livelihood The German financial cooperation KfW and Technical Cooperation
GIZ decided 2010 to document this success story which permits an up-scaling in other semi-arid regions.
Based on several studies, a publication is to be prepared and will be published in January 2012
A capacity development program is foreseen to train technicians in semi-arid regions on this approach.
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 4
Impacts of water sprading weirs
Water spreading weirs restore eroded valley plains which have naturally a high potential for agricultural production
By slowing down rainfall run-off, weirs protect low-lying areas from accelerated erosion and support at the same time the infiltration of water into the soil and the groundwater
Groundwater levels comes up from 11 to about 2 m under surface The valley plains can be directly used for up to three consecutive
harvests Energy costs are extremely reduced by this increase of
groundwater level Food and nutrition security is achieved in a region which was
affected by rural migration to other fertile regions
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 5
Innovative Watershed-Management in Tahoua, Niger
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 6
Water spreading weirs: several constructions to be build in one valley
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 7
A water spreading weir and its function
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 8
One water spreading weir and its impact on the vegetation
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 9
Innovative Watershed-Management by water spreading weirs – what it needs
Watershed management is a systemic Approach who needs the following:
Legal framework
Planning instruments
Articulation of a demand and coordination of the construction by a municipality
Analysis of land use and land rights aspects before implementation
Technical aspects of planning and implementation / of hydro geographical aspects
Organisation of communities for construction
Aspects of land use and land rights after implementation
Agricultural extension for efficient water use and valorisation of restablished surfaces
Marketing of products in a value chain approach
Organisation of population for maintain of constructions
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 10
Water spreading weirs help greening semi-arid landscapes
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 11
Success factors of water spreading weirs
Combination of financial and technical assistance It needs technical and organisational expertise A systemic perception and approach is necessary Has to be part of a planning process which bases on spatial,
visualised planning instruments Integration of different users has to be guaranteed The watershed is a natural space which covers sometimes the
territory of several municipalities (needs a comprehensive approach)
Rules for access and use have to be established Capacity Development is necessary on all levels: individual,
community-level municipalities, administration, Deciders in governments
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 12
Very often done mistakes
Project-driven approach which does not fit in the national planning and implementation-landscape as for instances only donor-nourished financial instruments
Planning-instrument is designed by the project and not sustainable Use of international technical expertise instead of Capacity-
Development inside the country. Insufficient view on existing land rights and land use Insufficient integration of national administration and institutions
Division „Rural Development and Agriculture" Page 13
Contact:
martina.wegner@giz.de jozias.pieterse@kfw.de
Recommended