Tarrafal water resources (irrigation investigations and training)

Special evaluation, attached to a PES (cf. DOCID: PD-AAJ-392), covers the period 1/77-11/81 and is based on site visits and interviews with project staff. Under the soil conservation component, 27,000 acacia trees have been planted; 22,000 m. of rockwork dikes and 10,000 m. of terraces completed; a 25 ha pilot watershed in Achada Carreira has been useful in increasing crop yields and soil moisture; however hard data is lacking on the effects of watershed protection. The water resources component is seriously behind schedule with 23 of a proposed 50 test wells drilled but only four pump tested. Sediment and hydrological data needed for dam construction have not been gathered, but tests indicate large infiltration losses, making storage dams impractical. The utility of galleries is unproven. Under the irrigation component, analysis of current irrigation systems shows them to be well-managed, efficient, and replicable, but more comparison between traditional and proposed methods is needed. Overall, project implementation has been slowed by management problems (i.e., technical staff have often misunderstood their roles, allowing problems to go unresolved for long periods); difficulty using drilling equipment; and delays in obtaining commodities and spare parts. It is recommended that: (1) added funding be negotiated to complete Phase I and extend the project 1 year; (2) soil conservation efforts be directed to private farmers and smaller upstream works and emphasize gathering watershed exploitation data; (3) future development emphasize increased well drilling, building small-scale observational dams, and exploring gallery use; (4) a baseline study be made on current irrigation uses and technologies; (5) well water be exploited and allocated for household use, experimental farms, and small farm plots; (5) experimental farms be located near small farm plots to allow technology transfer to selected farmers; (6) improved procurement plans be developed; (7) non-degree, short-term training be increased; and (8) A.I.D. respond to needs for technical assistance to complete Phase I plans.