FASIMO
Farmer-led Smallholder Irrigation in Mozambique
FASIMO is an action driven research project which researches government-led and farmer-led smallholder irrigation schemes to contribute to improved farmer resilience, improved water use efficiency and to develop irrigation policies and changes in practices for governmental and multilateral agencies. The project combines technical (soil and water management practices), social (business plans and market linkages), and institutional innovations (innovation platforms and water-user associations) in the irrigation schemes to compare changes in their management, productivity, and profitability for farmers.
Smallholder irrigation is seen by the Government of Mozambique as a useful approach to improve agricultural productivity, increase food security, reduce poverty and increase resilience to climate variability. However, most government schemes do not function properly, and irrigation is not as productive and sustainable as it could be. Also, there is widespread inequity.
The area covered by farmer-led irrigation may be twice that of government-led schemes, indicating that farmers do see irrigation as beneficial. So, the research question of the project is:
“Why are smallholder irrigation schemes currently not as economically and institutionally self-sustaining, and equitable as they could be?”
Researchers will test user-driven and business-oriented models to increase the productivity, profitability, equity, and sustainability of irrigation schemes in Mozambique. More concretely, the project:
- Conducts a comparative analysis of management, business models and formal and informal institutional arrangements in government and farmer-led irrigation schemes;
- Improves water use efficiency and productivity through improved and cost-effective land and water management technologies;
- Assesses the effectiveness of innovative and user-oriented approaches that are equitable and profitable in supporting government-financed and smallholder-led irrigation;
- Contributes to the development of irrigation policies and changes in practices for governmental and multilateral agencies.
Participatory approaches will be used to understand the current situation for women, men and youth farmers and the differences between government and farmer-led schemes. User driven approaches will be developed to improve productivity, profitability and equity. The comparative analysis will draw out key lessons for communication and policy. The project will also develop guidelines for mapping irrigated areas and estimate water use for policy
development.
The project directly engages with 8 irrigation schemes in Gaza and Manica provinces, benefiting about 1000 farmers. It is estimated that 80% of farmers may benefit and could have an increased income of 140%, corresponding to approximately $1,500. Beneficial social outcomes can be; reduced conflict, more young farmers and women participating in irrigation, increased willingness to participate in community institutions and inequity reduction.
The partners of the project are:
- The National Irrigation Institute (Instituto Nacional de Irrigação – INIR)
- Eduardo Mondlane University
- Politechnical institute of Gaza
- Politechnical institute of Manica,
- Resilience BV
- Penevy Services
- See4d
The project is funded by IDRC-CRDI (donor) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research through the Cultivate Africa’s Future Fund (CultiAF) which funds applied research aimed at improving food security, resilience, and gender equality across Eastern and Southern Africa.
Project reports and findings
Find the internal reports and a presentation made to provide key information on the progress of the project in the years of its execution.
- Firts AFS interim Technical Report Fasimo 2020
- IDRC and Project Team Presentation Oct 2021
- Summary report for the period April – September 2021
Report of the soil moisture sensor readings in the tomato crop production field in Gaza- Makateko association
