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