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The African Market Garden (TIPA) Advantages and Constraints. an Integrated Horticultural production package Lessons learned and Perspectives for the Future. Horticultural production. Irrigation contributes to: Increased productivity Independent of erratic rainfall
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The African Market Garden (TIPA)Advantages and Constraints an Integrated Horticultural production package Lessons learned and Perspectives for the Future
Horticultural production Irrigation contributes to: Increased productivity • Independent of erratic rainfall • increased impact of other yield-enhancing technologies (fertilizer, improved seed, IPM) Stabilizing production • enhanced food security • reducing financial risk of applying fertilizer This leads to better integration into markets
Horticultural production Grow Horticulture crops with Irrigation. High returns: • Per unit area from high value crops • Year round cash flow • Intntl and local Market: Urban population SSA grows 4%pyear; demand fresh vegetables Nutrition: • Vitamin A deficiency
Horticultural production Current production systems are • Inefficient with labor, water and energy • Exacerbate soil erosion/degradation • Little productive due to socio economic constraints, limited access to credit, markets and technologies and lack of institutional support
The African Market Garden Platform for introduction of new improved varieties to optimize cropping calendar
Labor saving (60%) • Kalale Watering can12m2- 5.3 hr/dayDrip Irrigation120m2- 2.6 hr/day
Economics • Operational costs AMG 20% lower
Economics • Revenues can be up to 50% higher Due to • Drip irrigation: improved soil moisture conditions and no adverse effects of over/under-watering • Use of improved ICRISAT/AVRDC selected varieties for year-round production • Use of fertilizer/pesticides
Economics • Set up costs 500m2 AMG 50% higher
Economics Profit AMG 500-1,000 $ per 500 m² Double that of traditional irrigated gardens Payback period 500 m² : 13 months 1000 m² : 8 months Woltering L, Ndjeunga J, Pasternak D. 2009. The Economics of African Market Garden and Watering Can Irrigation Methods in Niger. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics: Working paper series, Socioeconomics and policy, Patancheru, India, 2009. Vol (XXX), (55) (in press)
Economics However AMG requires • Investment • Land ownership • Professional attitude • Market Access Educated Experienced Vegetable producers
AMG models How to reach the poor farmers? • Investment: - Share costs • Land Ownership: - Target farmer groups that own land • Professional attitude- Provide cost-effective training/follow up • Market Access - Joint marketing and purchase of inputs Target: Producer groups to benefit from economies of scale
AMG models Cluster and Communal AMG system • No need for individual reservoirs, boreholes or pumps • Easy access for training and monitoring • Mutual learning among producers • Joint marketing and purchase of inputs COMMUNALmanagement of 5,000 m² CLUSTER of 500m2 plots
AMG models: Cluster One large water source, but producers have individual control of water and fertilizer Pressure provided by Dam elevated above field (rice fields) Target: Group of independent vegetable producers
AMG models: Cluster Yelou- Gaya Region (Niger) 5 ha Pressure provided by artesian borehole (4-5 m head)
Yelou- Nov 2009 Yelou- Gaya Region (Niger)
AMG models: Cluster Keur Yarba (Senegal) Pressure provided by underutilized water towers borehole (7-10 m head)
AMG models: Communal 20-m3 concrete reservoir serves an area of 5,000 m2 Community provision of basic services (Water, fertilizer and chemical spray) Field subdivided to individual producers Target: Group of well-organized vegetable producers
AMG models: Communal Dunkassa- Kalale Region (Benin)
AMG models: Communal Tanka- Dallol Baleyara (Niger)
AMG models Great benefits from collective action, yet Organisation is key for sustainability: • Contributions to common cash for purchase inputs or to strengthen group (credit to members). • Legalize status of Land • Internal rules and regulations
AMG models The development of the AMG models was driven by decreasing set up costs while achieving higher profits /unit land 2001 2005 2006 2007
Alternative Energy AMG requires only 1-meter pressure for operation it can draw on low-capacity renewable energy sources like • solar, • artesian wells or • gravity from low elevation
Artesian Wells in Niger Koutoumbou- Gaya region Estimated 100 m3/hr Wankam- Baleyara 5-8 m3/hr artesian wells Kolo Bangou- Baleyara area 5m3/hr Diginessa- Ouallam 10 m3/hr Damana- Baleyara area 5-8 m3/hr
Alternative Energy Irrigation with Solar energy • independent of fuel availability and price fluctuations • Low maintenance fit well in rural settings • Self regulator; solar radiation is the main driver of both pump speed and evapotranspiration of crops
Alternative Energy Solar energy • Assume: • Water need 80 m3/day for 200 days/year • Sandy soil, water at 5m depth • Labor 125CFA/hr (0.27 $/hr) • Fuel 0.12 L to move 1m3 at 1 US$/liter • Compare hand pump (4yr lifetime), motor pump (5yr), solar pump (8yr)
Alternative Energy Solar energy Compatible with Communal AMG Reservoirs serve as battery (energy stored in form of water elevated above field)
Alternative Energy Solar energy Benin Micro Irrigation project Project Donor/partner: SELF (Solar Electric Light Fund) Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca6qw5x_n-M
Alternative Energy Solar energy Benin Micro Irrigation project
Options for dissemination AMG in West Africa • Go for Producer groups to benefit from economies of scale • Provide minimum 2 years of technical support • Utilize existing infrastructure/resources and alternative energy Niger groundwater resources: renewable 3 billion m3/year and fossil 2000 billion m3– development is restricted by lack of energy/high cost of energy
Requirements for large scale dissemination AMG • Private sector development for provision of irrigation equipment, seeds, knowledge, etc AMG service centers • Conducive institutional environment: credit available, long repayment periods, subsidies and tax regulations • Capacity building
Research focus • Improved vegetable varieties, processing and storage techniques for smallholder producers • Bio pesticides/fertilizer solutions • Socio economic evaluations AMG vs traditional systems • Low cost alternatives for pumps (alternative energies), reservoirs and other components of AMG
The way ahead Effective large-scale dissemination of the AMG will require the establishment of service centers that give the following services: • Planning • Supply of equipment and materials (fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, plants plastics etc) • Training and follow up
Merci • Thank you