• Reference: P-SN-AAC-002
• Approval date: 22/10/2003
• Start date: 01/11/2005
• Appraisal Date: 30/06/2003
• Status: On goingOnGo
• Location: Régions de Fatick, Kolda et Tambacounda
• Implementing Agency: MINISTERE DE L'EDUCATION NATIONALE

Context

One of the principal constraints on Senegal’s agricultural development is lack of water resources. In order to address this, the Government is seeking to improve the management of water resources available in the country, especially south of the 800mm isohyet. ADF therefore financed an inventory of dam sites in the country’s south and a feasibility study of 10 sites.  Three sites were finally retained in order to create sustainable conditions for the mobilization and development of surface water run-off. Detailed project designs were prepared for the three sites with ADF funds. In parallel with this study an FAO Investment Centre Division mission identified several rural sector projects which could benefit from ADB financing. These included  a “small-scale irrigation” project, comprising three components, one of which, concerning support to farming areas in the Tambacounda region using surface runoff Irrigation (SRI)  has been partially adopted under the current project.

Rationale

Project implementation will reduce the water deficit with a view to developing and intensifying agriculture and limiting the erosive action of run-off water. It will contribute to food security, improve rural living conditions, and reduce poverty among the population.

Objective

The project sector goal is to contribute to food security through development of local, small-scale irrigation. The project’s specific objective is to increase and diversify agricultural production on a sustainable basis.

Description

The project aims to promote local small-scale irrigation, through rural communities and producer groups who will be the direct actors in the operations, and will be supported in implementing them.  The project concerns 8 Departments in the regions of Fatick, Kolda, and Tambacounda.   On the basis of a participatory planning approach, it will make it possible to develop over 120 small structures and facilities to control surface water run-off (micro-dams, sills, deepening of ponds, bottomlands, micro-irrigated areas, etc), regeneration of over 2,000 ha of degraded land, and improved living conditions for the inhabitants of the 87 rural communities concerned.

The principal project components are: 

• Sustainable Irrigation and Pastoral Development,
• Capacity Building, and
• Project Management.

The detailed activities envisaged under the project are:

1. improvement and expansion of existing small-scale irrigation schemes in the 3 valleys (280 ha);
2. reclamation of salt-affected land for rice farming (2,000 ha);
3. development of 21 livestock watering ponds;
4. construction of about 30 small diversified structures for surface-water retention and control (480 ha);
5. development of 400 ha of bottomland rice farms;
6. development of 10 pump-irrigated micro-areas (50 ha);
7. rehabilitation of 105 km of feeder roads and tracks;
8. 300 ha of reforestation;
9. protection of 450 ha of land by SWC/SPR;
10. organizational support and supervision of 35 CR;
11. advisory and extension services for 7,000 farms; and
12. provision of social and economic infrastructure through a self-managed local development fund.

The project is implemented under the responsibility of the Rural Engineering Directorate of the Ministry of National Hydrographic Networks. For the regional implementation of the project, three autonomous branches have been established in the three project regions (Fatick, Kolda, and Tambacounda). A Dakar-based coordination unit will oversee the entire set up. The project will work closely with the concerned rural groups and communities which will receive support from specialized operators regarding the technical and financial implementation of the works. ANCAR, SODEFITEX, and ISRA provide extension, advisory and research & development support. The CSE, DGPRE, and the Environment Directorate are responsible for monitoring the Environmental and Social Management Plan. A National Steering Committee, comprising representatives of the local administrations, agricultural organizations, the Ministries and operators concerned, supervises implementation of the project’s different components. A Consultative Committee established in each region coordinates regional activities and validates LDF financing requests.

Impact

Mobilization and enhancement of water resources; environmental protection; increased production and improved food security; capacity building of producers and rural communities; job creation, reduction in rural-urban migration, and safeguarding incomes.

BOULENGER Francois-Xavier - OSAN2

Finance source	Amount
ADF	UAC 14,310,000
Government	UAC 2,000,000
Delta	UAC 690,000
Total	UAC 17,000,000