Smallholder Irrigation: Ways forward
Guidelines for achieving appropriate scheme design
Programmes of small irrigation scheme development have become popular with governments and funding agencies, yet very little practical material is available to help designers of small schemes with the technical and social issues that affect design and long-term sustainability of projects. The Guidelines for achieving appropriate scheme design, are primarily intended to assist designers in Africa, particularly those based at provincial government level, who are responsible for identifying, designing and implementing small, surface irrigation developments, based on rivers and springs
Background
Thirteen small irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Egypt were studies with the aim of quantifying small scheme technical and socio-economic performance. The field studies confirmed that accurate assessment of resources and good engineering are basic to the success of schemes, but also that social, economic and financial issues may determine long-term performance.

The guidelines
The Guidelines, presented in two volumes, aim to assist with identification of principal socio-economic issues and to suggest ways of improving the implementation process, so that designers fully understand the background to a development and the needs of the users. Designers are then enabled to commission necessary further work and investigations as appropriate.

What they cover

  • Volume 1: Guidelines
    Volume 1 is a structured guide for identifying and dealing with technical and non-technical issues which affect the viability and sustainability of small- scale irrigation developments. It deals with:
  • Scheme identification
  • Establishing the adequacy of the available resources
  • Identifying beneficiaries
  • Promoting consultative processes between farmers and irrigation staff
  • Identifying and implementing appropriate designs
  • Anticipating and planning for scheme operation and maintenance.

    This volume emphasises issues that must be addressed in progressing from identification of small schemes through to detailed design. Methods of acquiring background information, basic to the scheme development process, are identified.

     

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    Guidance on appropriate design is provided and procedures for encouraging and gaining participation of farmers, both male and female, throughout the scheme development process and subsequently in operation and maintenance, are recommended.

    The bibliography at the end of Volume 1 contains a useful list of leading design texts along with other references.

  • Volume 2: Summary of case studies
    Volume 2 summarises the results of thirteen collaborative field studies of small-scale performance in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Egypt. A brief summary of the methods used in the investigations is presented along with brief accounts of the characteristics and performance of individual schemes.

    Contibutors
    HR Wallingford Ltd, UK; Irrigation and Drainage Branch, Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya; AGRITEX, Zimbabwe; Water Management Research Institute, National Water Research Centre, Egypt.

    Intended users
    The guidelines, are intended to assist designers, particularly those based at provincial government level, who are responsible for identifying, designing and implementing small, surface irrigation developments, based on rivers and springs

    Chancellor, FM and Hide, JM, 1997. Smallholder Irrigation: Ways Forward. Volumes 1 and 2. HR Wallingford, UK. Report no. OD136.

    Click here for full copy of Volume 1

    Click here for full copy of Volume 2 


    • Available at: http://www.dfid-kar-water.net/w5outputs.html
    For a CD ROM or a hard copy contact:
    International Development Group, HR Wallingford Ltd, Howbery Park, Oxon, OX10 8BA, UK
    Tel: +44 (0) 1491 835381, Fax: +44 (0) 1491 826352, E-mail: w5outputs@hrwallingford.co.uk