Dirol operations research project (682-0934)

PfP will develop improved water management and agricultural production techniques and will promote the development of small agriculture-related industries. Activities to optimize the use of water resources will include developing and testing methods to: (1) improve water drainage, collection, and storage; (2) improve villager control and management of irrigation water; and (3) increase the use of well water by improvements in water lifting, storage, and transport methods. PfP will also identify appropriate methods for introducing innovations to the village population. Activities to increase agricultural production will include: (1) increasing the available surface for food production (e.g., through more thorough use of irrigated perimeters); (2) increasing yield/ha through improved agricultural techniques; (3) diversifying crops; and (4) integrating animal husbandry with agricultural production. At least 10 hypotheses will be tested under the water management and agricultural production components. Some 200 farmers will benefit from project-developed technical packages, of TA, credit, and inputs. Activities to promote complementary small businesses will include provision of TA and small amounts of credit to 30 non-farm, agriculture-related industries, in cases where this assistance will remove identified constraints to farm productivity. All information gathered during the project will be documented and shared with other research and engineering activities in the region, including Mauritanian development institutions, AID-sponsored entities implementing the Mauritanian River Valley Development Strategy, and the A.I.D. Water Management Synthesis II Project; the latter will conduct a more in-depth socioeconomic analysis of Dirol Plain. Field agent training will be provided to PfP personnel and those of other organizations operating in the Plain.