Developing professional standards in the installation, maintenance and management of pump units (Мали)

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

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.