1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Irrigation Projects in the Niger Inland Delta (IPRO-DI)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) - Germany

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/07/2012

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Ensure the sustainability of schemes and continuity of production, and reduce production costs

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The objective of the approach is to ensure the sustainability of schemes and continuity of production, and to reduce production costs.
PMN/IPRODI-DB provides producers with pump units. In collaboration with the equipment manufacturers, a workshop team was given training in pump unit maintenance and upgrading, ensuring the participants will be able to look after them going forward. In each project area, a central shop sells spare parts. This is now becoming a profitable venture. Local mechanics have been trained and have concluded maintenance contracts with producers. In each VIS, two trained pump technicians ensure the pump units are operated correctly.
The project provided a consignment of pump units adapted to the conditions prevailing in the area, which were upgraded in collaboration with the manufacturers (Hatz and Rovatti). The units must be installed on time to make it possible to farm the scheme the year it is developed, as this represents an important confidence-building measure for beneficiaries. Prior to accepting the pump units, the farm maintenance workshop (FMW) carries out pumping tests on behalf of the company Hatz. Defective pump units are replaced by the manufacturers. The beneficiaries contribute the equivalent of 30% (approximately 3 million CFA francs) towards the purchase. This constitutes a high enough figure to impart a sense of the pump units’ worth. This sum is paid by all the beneficiaries together, meaning the pump unit is the property of all the beneficiaries.
Local capacities have been strengthened: (i) a pump unit was upgraded through the construction of housing and the provision of adapted tools; (ii) the workshop mechanics were trained in Germany by Hatz and in Italy by Rovatti, and (iii) every two years, trainers from the manufacturers come over to Mali to deliver updated training. A spare parts stockroom has been set up for the pump units, which will supply quality spare parts to ensure the good functioning of pump units. For each VIS, at least two pump technicians receive training from the FMW in maintaining and operating the pump units. At the start of each growing season, PMN/IPRODI organises training for new pump unit technicians and training updates for those previously trained. We feel this is an important experience as it allows the pump unit technicians to properly master the training content. During the growing season, an experienced mechanic is stationed in each sector to deal with potential breakdowns that pump unit technicians cannot repair themselves. Operation: The pump units must be ordered eight months before the start of the growing season. Each pump unit is looked after by a pump unit technician who has received training in its operation and basic maintenance. Every 250 hours, the filters and oil are replaced with materials recommended by the manufacturer. Stocks are held locally to the VIS to prevent any resourcing issues. Local mechanics in each project area have signed contracts with the VISs (remuneration of a 100,000 CFA franc lump sum per growing season) and are on hand to fix any problems and carry out regular maintenance. VISs buy spare parts and oil from the workshop and the mechanics who control the stock. After each growing season, the FMW’s head mechanic tours and inspects each sector’s pump installation. He or she then advises on what maintenance and repairs are required.
The project team designs and implements the system, runs the accounts, conducts monitoring, makes up orders and carries out auditing. FMW carries out maintenance and repairs, tests pump units, ensures the availability of local mechanics, advises on which parts to buy in, sells parts to beneficiaries, and advises the manufacturers on how they can improve the technology. Beneficiaries purchase pump units and spare parts, conduct maintenance and contract the mechanics.

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The objective of the approach is to ensure the sustainability of schemes and continuity of production, and to reduce production costs.
The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: low sustainability of schemes, high production costs, lack of knowledge on pump unit maintenance and upgrading

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	passive
planning	passive
implementation	interactive
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive
Research	passive

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users

Explain:

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by SLM specialists with consultation of land users

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• farmer-to-farmer
• public meetings

Subjects covered:

PMN/IPRODI-DB provides producers with pump units. In collaboration with the equipment manufacturers, a workshop team was given training in pump unit maintenance and upgrading, ensuring the participants will be able to look after them going forward. In each project area, a central shop sells spare parts. This is now becoming a profitable venture. Local mechanics have been trained and have concluded maintenance contracts with producers. In each VIS, two trained pump technicians ensure the pump units are operated correctly.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, moderately

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Specify type of support:

• financial
• capacity building/ training
• equipment

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

technical aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations
socio-cultural aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations
economic / production aspects were regular monitored by project staff through measurements
management of Approach aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations
There were no changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation
There were no changes in the Technology as a result of monitoring and evaluation

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• sociology
• economics / marketing
• ecology
• technology

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 100,000-1,000,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: international: 70.0%; local community / land user(s): 30.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• voluntary

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

In collaboration with the equipment manufacturers, a workshop team was given training in pump unit maintenance and upgrading, ensuring the participants will be able to look after them going forward.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The system has been operating since 2000. The structures are well established, with well-trained staff and a good division of labour. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Success factors and constraints: Availability of cash for making foreign purchases; Very well-trained stock management staff (ordering the correct parts); Pump units ordered in good time (eight months before the growing season))
Less than one per cent of the pump units have broken down in spite of their age (some pump units date back to 1996). Production in the area is increasing, and is now secure and more efficient.
The beneficiaries contribute the equivalent of 30% (approximately 3 million CFA francs) towards the purchase. This constitutes a high enough figure to impart a sense of the pump units’ worth. This sum is paid by all the beneficiaries together, meaning the pump unit is the property of all the beneficiaries.
Local capacities have been strengthened: (i) a pump unit was upgraded through the construction of housing and the provision of adapted tools; (ii) the workshop mechanics were trained in Germany by Hatz and in Italy by Rovatti, and (iii) every two years, trainers from the manufacturers come over to Mali to deliver updated training
A spare parts stockroom has been set up for the pump units, which will supply quality spare parts to ensure the good functioning of pump units
PMN/IPRODI-DB provides producers with pump units. In collaboration with the equipment manufacturers, a workshop team was given training in pump unit maintenance and upgrading, ensuring the participants will be able to look after them going forward

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Manual of Good Practices in Small Scale Irrigation in the Sahel. Experiences from Mali. Published by GIZ in 2014.

Available from where? Costs?

http://star-www.giz.de/starweb/giz/pub/servlet.starwebwww.mali-nord.de

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Project reports. Report on the trust fund.

Available from where? Costs?

www.mali-nord.de