1. The difficult water sharing in the Upper Como basin (Burkina-Faso)
Herv Lvite IWMI Burkina FasoEquitable Distribution of Water Rights and AccessCTA November 2010

2. 1. Irrigation in Burkina
Recent development after droughts of 70s
1400 small reservoirs
Weak performance
New ambition from government
A progressive legislation of water sharing
But sometime choices are difficult

3. 2.Case study : Upper Como basin
South West Burkina
Rainy season : 3 to 4 months
Rain : 1000 mm but uneven and decreasing
Surface water only
Traditional rice in inland valleys

4. 3. Several users

5. 4. High water demand
Deficit mainly during dry season : restrictions for Karfiguela

6. 5. Historical development
08/11/2010
1991
Moussoudougou dam is built
Storage: 38 Mm3
1976
Lobi Dam construction
storage: 6 Mm3
1982
Toussiana dam is built
storage: 6 Mm3
1975
Karfiguela irrigation scheme
is built
Area: 75 ha
2008
Setup of the CLE for the Upper Como basin
1977
Karfiguela Irrigation scheme is completed
Area: 350 ha
1968
Launch of the national sugar company: the S0.SU.HV
1992
Launch of the SO.PAL: for alcool production
1998
Privatisation of the sugar company, renamed: SN.SO.SU.CO
2010
Launch of the Water Agency for the Como basin in Burkinaso
Farmers are asked to leave the future sugar cane fields
Farmers receive instructions from SOCUCO

7. 6. An unfair competition
Private sector in charge of public dams management
Weak state control (even in the CLE)
Farmers have lost their lands and have little livelihoods alternatives
Voice of farmers is not heard
pressure from private Sugar Cane industry

8. 7. Tentative comparison of value of water

9. 8. Discussion
Good efficiency (sugar) vs Weak water management (Rice)
Challenge : can one convinces SOCUCO to release more water
Perhaps but first Karfiguela needs to make efforts too
WAIPRO aims : to measure and enhance the performances

10. 9. Discussion (cont)
Possible negotiations through CLE and Water agency
Help farmers to have a voice
Respect the equity principle by State and control
Look for solutions :
rehabilitate dams
use groundwater
continue modernization of irrigation
promote decision support systems and IWRM