Environment | Cardno
lies in examining complex socio- economic systems through analysis of historical and cultural norms and habits, roles and responsibilities, social incentives, group dynamics, legal environments, and constraints and opportunities. This is followed by an assessment of the viability of investments looking at all their uncertainties. The programme assesses what innovations are needed and how to introduce these in an effective manner within the context. With this understanding, the likelihood of sustainability is assessed, as well as the risks and potential value for money of possible investments. The additional capacity is also addressed both through government and community stakeholders, to ensure sustainability The socio-economic realities of irrigation in Cambodia are complex. Most farmers cultivate rice only in the wet season and too often farmers’ rice crops have low yields. Farmers have the ability to gain high yields during the dry months from December to May; however, most farmers have no access to irrigation to plant and harvest a second dry season crop. Until recently, farmers who irrigated relied on natural or constructed reservoirs that retained water from the wet season.
Unfortunately, too many of these reservoirs have limited capacity, have broken down or are only partially functioning, as
maintenance is rare and still relies heavily on funding from foreign donors or limited government budgets. Instead, the programme invests in the construction irrigation canals tapping the reliable waters of the Mekong river. This provides a greater opportunity to implement sustainable, systemic changes in Cambodia’s rice-based farming process. Well-designed and constructed irrigation schemes can offer thousands of households a way out of poverty. During the process of developing an irrigation infrastructure, the programme engages with all stakeholders, including farmers, local government authorities (district, commune and village), local businessmen and the
‘Cardno is working closely with national and provincial agencies, and communities to increase farmer incomes in the rice- based farming system of Cambodia by accelerating the value of agricultural production.’
Provincial Department for Water Resources and Meteorology. Firstly, potential irrigation
investments are assessed from an engineering and agricultural point of view. If a scheme is assessed as commercially viable, possible stakeholders are identified in each scheme and roles and responsibilities are defined, particularly for operation and maintenance. A cost-sharing and commitment arrangement is then established with the farmers and the relevant local government departments. The programme pays for the construction of the scheme, and farmers voluntarily contribute the land required for construction; in many cases, farmers construct secondary and tertiary canals. In some cases, the construction costs are shared with the local community and private water sellers. Cost-sharing is an important element of local ownership for the scheme, and helps change the perception that irrigation is a public good. Cost-sharing is a first step towards solving the organisational issues that pervade irrigation and water management within rural Cambodian communities. The programme, whose approach is simple, aims to reduce poverty for the greatest number of people, while providing the best investment value for money. This can only be done through the creation of irrigation schemes that promise long-lasting, systemic changes in Cambodia. By 2016, it is expected that approximately AU$40 million of additional net income will be generated annually as a result of interventions by the programme, benefitting 160,000 small farmers within the target provinces, and an additional 70,000 in other provinces. The programme has observed that as a result of project work, more land is cultivated; farmers double- crop and cultivate higher yields; water access is more reliable; local traders interact more regularly in the irrigation market and the farmers make more money.
GO Farmers transport crops as part of the initiative
global-opportunity.co.uk
FURTHER INFORMATION Contact David Burton on +44 1844 216500 or david.burton@cardno.
uk.com or visit
www.cardno.com.
ISSUE 01 | GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY 2014 169
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