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Blooming landscapes in semi-arid regions (Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad)

6th World Water ForumMarseille, 12.-17.03.2012

Practical Solutions for Innovative Water-Management

By Dr. Elisabeth van den Akker and Martina Wegner, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ)

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Background

Over the last five decades, the environmental situation in the Sahel has deteriorated dramatically.

The degradation of the environment is manifested by declining crop yields and by reduction of land suitable for farming.

This leads to food insecurity and higher vulnerability to the effects of climate change (e.g. more or fewer extreme weather events).

As a consequence, in order to look for additional income opportunities, many men are forced to migrate to neighbouring countries.

Female headed households belong to the most vulnerable social groups in these countries.

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The initiative

In Niger, Tchad and Burkina Faso, since the early nineties, a promising approach has been developed to restore eroded valley plains which have naturally a high potential for agricultural production: the construction of so-called “water spreading weirs”

It helped thousands of households to secure livelihood The German financial cooperation KfW and Technical Cooperation

GIZ decided 2010 to document this success story which permits an up-scaling in other semi-arid regions.

Based on several studies, a publication is to be prepared and will be published in January 2012

A capacity development program is foreseen to train technicians in semi-arid regions on this approach.

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Impacts of water sprading weirs

Water spreading weirs restore eroded valley plains which have naturally a high potential for agricultural production

By slowing down rainfall run-off, weirs protect low-lying areas from accelerated erosion and support at the same time the infiltration of water into the soil and the groundwater

Groundwater levels comes up from 11 to about 2 m under surface The valley plains can be directly used for up to three consecutive

harvests Energy costs are extremely reduced by this increase of

groundwater level Food and nutrition security is achieved in a region which was

affected by rural migration to other fertile regions

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Innovative Watershed-Management in Tahoua, Niger

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Water spreading weirs: several constructions to be build in one valley

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A water spreading weir and its function

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One water spreading weir and its impact on the vegetation

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Innovative Watershed-Management by water spreading weirs – what it needsWatershed management is a systemic Approach who needs the

following:Legal frameworkPlanning instrumentsArticulation of a demand and coordination of the construction by a

municipalityAnalysis of land use and land rights aspects before implementationTechnical aspects of planning and implementation / of hydro

geographical aspectsOrganisation of communities for constructionAspects of land use and land rights after implementationAgricultural extension for efficient water use and valorisation of

restablished surfacesMarketing of products in a value chain approachOrganisation of population for maintain of constructions

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Water spreading weirs help greening semi-arid landscapes

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Success factors of water spreading weirs

Combination of financial and technical assistance It needs technical and organisational expertise A systemic perception and approach is necessary Has to be part of a planning process which bases on spatial,

visualised planning instruments Integration of different users has to be guaranteed The watershed is a natural space which covers sometimes the

territory of several municipalities (needs a comprehensive approach)

Rules for access and use have to be established Capacity Development is necessary on all levels: individual,

community-level municipalities, administration, Deciders in governments

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Very often done mistakes

Project-driven approach which does not fit in the national planning and implementation-landscape as for instances only donor-nourished financial instruments

Planning-instrument is designed by the project and not sustainable Use of international technical expertise instead of Capacity-

Development inside the country. Insufficient view on existing land rights and land use Insufficient integration of national administration and institutions

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Contact:

martina.wegner@giz.de jozias.pieterse@kfw.de