Pat Feeder Command Area Development Project

There are large numbers of extremely poor people in this arid zone, which is occupied by different tribal groups, including some nomadic groups. Women have a particularly low status. The goal of the project was to improve the production, incomes and living standards of rural poor people, especially smallholder farmers and landless people. Specific objectives of the project were to:

• rehabilitate irrigation systems and improve the distribution of irrigation water
• improve crop yields and the productivity of livestock
• encourage rural people to form village groups that participate in the development process 

In the period between 1997 and 2002 average farm incomes more than doubled in the project area. Significant increases in crop yields and animal production were reported. Water availability increased for 97 per cent of farmers, and about 95 per cent of farmers adopted improved irrigation practices. Most women observed that their workload had been reduced thanks to project activities.

Source: IFAD