Community Irrigation Project 

Project Period                             : July 2012 to June 2018
Funding Agency                          : Asian Development Bank/ DOLIDAR
Targeted HH                                : 1,77,800
No. of Beneficiaries                     : 9,77,900                                              
Project Area                                : Kanchanpur, Kailali, Dang, Kapilvastu, Doti, Salyan, Bajhang, Jumla, Mugu, Rukum, Pyuthan and Rolpa (254 VDCs)

                         

Objective of Project
• To enhance farm incomes and reduce poverty through the development or improvement of small-scale irrigation systems in the selected Terai and hill districts.

Project Output
• Conduced engineering survey and prepared feasibility/detailed design, cost estimates and design drawings of 218 small-scale irrigation sub-projects in the hills, mountains and Terai areas of 12 project districts were conducted; 
• The project and district technical offices of DoLIDAR were assisted and advised on all engineering aspects of sub-project implementation (adopting a participatory approach);
• A total of 546 Multiple-Use Water Systems were constructed at the community level;
• The potential for crop diversification towards high-value crops in the sub-project areas was prepared and a market value chain was promoted;  
• Assisted in project management by developing implementation approaches, procedures, and guidelines for key project activities; 
• Assisted and monitored the project VDC/Ilaka (area) selection (seven Ilakas in each district) and planning process and support the district and village-based field teams (VBFT);
• Conducted an engineering survey and prepared feasibility/detailed design, cost estimates, and design drawings of 218 small-scale irrigation sub-projects (under this consulting contract) in the hills, mountains and Terai areas of 12 project districts; 
• The feasibility/detailed design included preparation of GIS-based command area maps, socio-economic and environmental information, engineering design works, design drawings, unit rates for construction items, quantity and cost estimates (sharing of the works between the project and WUAs);
• Assisted and advised the project and district technical offices of DoLIDAR on all engineering aspects of sub-project implementation (adopting a participatory approach), including construction supervision and quality control (materials and workmanship) of additional 238 sub-projects; 
• A total of 456 sub-projects constructed were constructed; 
• Collected and analyzed baseline information (socio-economic and agriculture) of the implemented sub-projects and assisted the project team in establishing a computerized M&E system for ensuring effective monitoring and quality control of sub-project implementation;  
• Prepared a GIS-based database for infrastructure development in the sub-project areas; 
• Assessed the potential for crop diversification towards high-value crops in the sub-project areas; 
• Prepared Agricultural Development Plan and training packages, and supervised agriculture support activities including field demonstrations;  
• Identified Local Support Programs like Micro-Finance Institutes (MFI) and facilities in establishing linkages of farmers with traders, market centres, and other value chain actors; 
• Liaised with other NGOs in the districts with ongoing agriculture programs and MFIs operating in the districts; 
• Assisted in ensuring the quality of the social mobilization process and participatory approach for sub-project selection, approval, and implementation; and
• Developed small-scale irrigation systems in six districts.