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Topic 1 Feasibility Studies

The document outlines the importance of feasibility studies for irrigation projects, assessing factors such as climate, land, water resources, agriculture, credit, and marketing. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive evaluation of engineering, social, organizational, health, environmental, and economic aspects to ensure sustainable and viable irrigation development. Ultimately, the study aims to provide clients with recommendations that balance technical feasibility, financial viability, and social and environmental considerations.

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7 views17 pages

Topic 1 Feasibility Studies

The document outlines the importance of feasibility studies for irrigation projects, assessing factors such as climate, land, water resources, agriculture, credit, and marketing. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive evaluation of engineering, social, organizational, health, environmental, and economic aspects to ensure sustainable and viable irrigation development. Ultimately, the study aims to provide clients with recommendations that balance technical feasibility, financial viability, and social and environmental considerations.

Uploaded by

comfortmbozole25
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Feasibility Studies for Irrigation Projects

Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Grivin Chipula PhD


• Feasibility studies provide the means for assessing
developmental options for investment.

• A feasibility study for irrigation development would assess the


physical aspects of land, water and climate, and evaluate crop
production potential and cropping programs within the context of
the physical aspects.

• It study reviews and assesses alternative engineering options in


terms of benefits and costs, operation and maintenance,
compatibility with the available land and water resources, their
impact on the environment, the health of the users and the social
life and welfare of the irrigators.
• Finally, market potentials and access to markets are critically
reviewed through such studies and the financial and economic
aspects of the development are evaluated.

• In summary, the feasibility study is expected to provide options


for the client with recommendations for the best option
combining technical feasibility, financial and economical
viability and social desirability and environmental sustainability
The feasibility study is expected to cover the following areas:
1. Climate and natural resources
2. Agriculture
3. Credit and marketing
4. Engineering aspects of the project
5. Social aspects of the project
6. Organization and management aspects of the project
7. Health and environmental aspects of the project
8. Economic and financial analysis
Climate and Natural Resources
• Climate and the assessment of the potential and availability of
natural resources (land and water), one of the most important
area of a feasibility study. Areas assessed Include;
Climate
• The most important climatic data are rainfall, maximum and
minimum temperatures, maximum and minimum relative
humidity, wind and sunshine hours.
• Different crops have different requirements in terms of
temperature, humidity and light.
• Analysis of climatic data with respect to crop production is
needed before a cropping programme can be prepared.
• The need for long-term accurate meteorological data,
especially long-term rainfall data
Land
• Assessing the irrigability of the land and select the most
suitable areas for irrigation.
• Soil and topographic surveys provide the means for this
assessment.
Water

• Long-term data of river flow and water quality are needed to


assess the potential of the water resources.
• In the absence of hydrological data, rainfall records or flows of
nearby streams are used for estimates.
• Groundwater resources, hydrogeological studies are carried
out and records from existing wells and test wells are used to
establish long-term and short-term yields of the aquifer
• Issues of water rights should also be investigated.
• A water right should be obtained from the relevant authorities
that permits the use of the water.
• Wherever a new scheme is planned, existing established
demands for water upstream and downstream should be
investigated and taken into consideration
• Water quality and flow rates are very important for the
selection of crops to be grown and the irrigation method to
be adopted.
• Of particular importance is the potential siltation of water
reservoirs and the need to protect the catchment areas, in
order to avoid the rapid decline in the yield of dams.

Agriculture
Existing farm practices
• The existing agricultural practices are assessed to analyze the without-
project situation.
• Data is gathered from the baseline socio-economic survey. The data is
aggregated to reflect the average production cost and gross margins and
incorporated in the financial and economic analysis.
• The same surveys will provide information on the availability of family
labour for use under rainfed farming and irrigation in the future, and
assess the need for hired labour.
Land tenure

• Land tenure affects the various aspects of the project should be


elaborated in the feasibility study.

Proposed agricultural system


• Based on the climate and the natural resources potential, crops are selected for
consideration and alternative cropping programmes and rotations are developed for
discussion with the smallholders.
• The cultural requirements of each crop and expected yields should be elaborated and
the crop water requirements estimated for alternative cropping programmes.
Credit and marketing
• Irrigated crop production is a high-input high output system
• The poor cash flow from conventional rainfed farming is too low
for such an investment.
• The need for credit is great indeed.
• The study should review potential options and makes
recommendations under the prevailing land tenure in the
scheme
• Assessment of the existing markets and transport system and
road infrastructure, as well as their potential for development,
should be made.
• Market prices, transport costs and farm prices must be
predicted, as related to the expected increased volume of
production.
• Processing and/or storage facilities should be considered as part
of a marketing strategy.
Engineering aspects
• The rehabilitation and/or extension of existing irrigation
schemes, as well as the development of new schemes.
• It deals with the
i. water development,
ii. the distribution system,
iii. the water storage and control structures
iv. measuring devices,
v. the on-farm irrigation works and the drainage.
• For these and other engineering works preliminary designs
are made and cost estimates prepared.
Social aspects
• There is need to assess the acceptability and desirability of
the farmers to participate in the development of the
irrigation scheme.

• Elements such as the level of literacy, farming knowledge and


skills, past experience with irrigation, gender issues and
attitudes to change are among the several parameters to be
considered when analyzing the social aspects of the project.

• How able the community is to adjust to changes that’s comes


due to irrigation development.
Organization and management aspects of the project
• An analysis of the structures and competence of the agencies or bodies
responsible for the organization and management of the project is
necessary

The organization of planning and construction


• Stakeholders involved: Rural authorities, traditional leaders, farmers,
relevant Department or Ministry at central level, consultants and
contractors (sub-contractors)
The organization of operation, maintenance and
management
• Provision should be made from the feasibility study stage onwards for
the needed trained engineers, agronomists and technicians to be
available on time.
• Equally important is the assessment of the farmers’ training needs,
which will enable them to make well-informed decisions and to
undertake the operation, maintenance and management of the infield
part of the system.
Extension services
• There is need to assess the level of extension know-how
and provide for the training needs of the extension staff.

• Establishment of on-farm research, demonstrations,


farmers’ field schools and the provision of advisory
services with back up from specialists are some of the
means to be considered
Health and environmental impact assessment
• Measures to reduce water related diseases through
engineering and other solutions should be incorporated in
the feasibility study.
• The impact of irrigation development on the environment is
equally important, as it affects the quality of the water
resources and thus downstream water users as well as the
ecosystem at large.

Economic and financial analysis


• The economic analysis provides the justification for an
irrigation development.
• The financial analysis evaluates the project’s capability to
repay the investment and the operation costs of the project
• The financial analysis evaluates different financial alternatives
with respect to interest rates, repayment schedules and length
of the loan period

• The financial analysis evaluates the project’s capability to repay


the investment and the operation costs of the project.

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