Participatory approach to small-scale irrigation (Mali)

The participatory approach to small-scale irrigation ensures skills and expertise are transferred to scheme beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

The participatory approach to small-scale irrigation (SI) ensures skills and expertise are transferred to scheme beneficiaries and other stakeholders. This enhances the value of investments and the sustainability of installations.
Direct beneficiaries (villagers) and indirect beneficiaries (technical services, communes) are involved before, during and after the installation of irrigation systems in order to ensure the sustainability of the schemes and a long-term return on investment.
Firstly, all the actors involved in the schemes are identified. Beneficiaries’ concerns are taken into account and the participation of relevant actors is ensured throughout the process. The following factors are essential when applying this approach: 1) the commitment of beneficiaries to engage in the project approach; 2) an explicit request made by beneficiaries for the scheme in question; 3) an agreement to relay the content of meetings to all beneficiaries; 4) an awareness of potentially significant constraints such as property issues, a lack of villagers available to provide labour, and the payment of financial contributions.
The participatory approach enhances the sustainability of investments, while the cost of participation remains low. The prevention and management of conflicts, the commitment of beneficiaries to schemes and the uptake of construction and management techniques by beneficiaries are all factors that contribute to sustainability.
The support structure (IPRO-DB) offers assistance in identifying the actors to involve, organises meetings, monitors information events for villagers (known as restitution sessions) and provides financial support. The village committee participates in all meetings, keeps villages informed, acts as an intermediary between associations, support structures and the community, and organises meetings. Farmers’ associations constitute sources of information, identify needs, draw up bylaws, contribute labour and funds to activities and participate in decision-making in village councils. Technical services provide advisory support and constitute sources of information. The commune provides information, raises the awareness of the actors involved, invites beneficiaries to the exchange meetings, identifies the actors involved and approves villagers’ requests.
The approach was implemented in eight villages with a combined population of around 9,240 people. The schemes cover a total area of around 766 hectares of farmland. Duration of application: Since 2005.