Shallow Groundwater utilization in the Volta Basin

Inception Workshop15 June 2012Bolgatanga

Work Package 1a: Examine existing irrigation methods

This effort will examine performance of the current irrigation practices and where applicable test and recommend less labour intensive and technically feasible yet affordable shallow groundwater irrigation alternatives that can be utilized in other White Volta Basin areas.

The Phase 1 project conducted technical identification of potential areas with shallow groundwater and developed a groundwater map and noted that only 5% of the water is abstracted. The proposed study intends to use some of these research insights for exploration of feasible methods that abstract deeper water reserves with less labour requirement for smallholder farmer utilization.

Existing Technologies

Work Package 1b: Evaluate alternative technologies

The main thrust of this work package is to:

Explore improved utilization of groundwater irrigation under different conditions within the previous catchment sites of the PN 65 project

Identify other applicable shallow groundwater exploitation areas within the White Volta Basin based on maps and findings of the previous project.

POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGIES

WELL TECHNOLOGIES

Relevant Research Questions What is the ease of use, efficiency and feasibility of a given technology for

current farming practices? (Relates to Work package 2)

What are the estimates for recharge potential in areas where extraction is currently conducted? What are the contributions of direct and indirect recharges on the overall volume of shallow groundwater?

What is the energy consumption and labour demand estimates associated with the existing irrigation methods? (Also relates to Work packages 2 and 3)

Research Activities

Assess current performance (water yield and use efficiency) of shallow groundwater use methods, identify gaps and recommend feasible alternative methods.

Identify potential interventions that address sub-optimal water resource abstraction.

Evaluate sustainability of groundwater resources utilization through periodic water level monitoring

Conduct feasibility assessments of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, fuel and combination approaches of irrigation methods within the existing shallow groundwater utilization practices.

Questions

Thanks for your attention!

Questions?