The African Market Garden (TIPA)Advantages and Constraints

an Integrated Horticultural production package

Lessons learned and Perspectives for the Future

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Horticultural production

Irrigation contributes to:Increased productivity• Independent of erratic rainfall• increased impact of other yield-enhancing

technologies (fertilizer, improved seed, IPM)Stabilizing production • enhanced food security• reducing financial risk of applying fertilizer

This leads to better integration into markets

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Horticultural production

Grow Horticulture crops with Irrigation.

High returns: – Per unit area from high value crops– Year round cash flow– Intntl and local Market: Urban

population SSA grows 4%pyear; demand fresh vegetables

Nutrition: – Vitamin A deficiency

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Horticultural production

Current production systems are • Inefficient with labor, water and energy • Exacerbate soil erosion/degradation• Little productive due to socio economic

constraints, limited access to credit, markets and technologies and lack of institutional support

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The African Market Garden

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The African Market Garden

Platform for introduction of new improved varieties to optimize cropping calendar

Vegetable varietyAfrican Eggplant GayaMelon Ein DorEggplant Black Beauty X XCucumber Beit Alpha X XOkra Konni X XLettuce Maya X XTomato ICRIXina X XSweet Pepper Yellow wonder X XHot Pepper Safi X XSweet Corn True GoldOnion Violet de Galmi X XPotato Abki X XCabbage Oxylus X XWatermelon Malali

nursery crop development harvesting periodX indicates maximum market price Niamey (SIMA, INS 2003-2006)

Hot Rainy Dry seasonJan Feb MarApr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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• Labor saving (60%)

• Kalale Watering can12m2- 5.3 hr/dayDrip Irrigation120m2- 2.6 hr/day

Labor use over 3.5 months Gombo production on 500m2 18 July-10 Oct 08 Sadore

0

200

400

600

800

AMG Watering can

ma

nh

ou

r

other

irrigation

weeding

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Economics

• Operational costs AMG 20% lower

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Economics

• Revenues can be up to 50% higher

Due to – Drip irrigation: improved soil moisture conditions

and no adverse effects of over/under-watering– Use of improved ICRISAT/AVRDC selected

varieties for year-round production– Use of fertilizer/pesticides

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Economics

• Set up costs 500m2 AMG 50% higher

Set-up costs 500m2 gardenAMG Watering canCFA CFA

Drip kit 145,500 0Reservoir 197,349 51,400Pump 175,000 175,000Well 80,000 80,000Other 134,779 138,779Total 732,628 445,179

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Economics

Profit AMG 500-1,000 $ per 500 m²

Double that of traditional irrigated gardens

Payback period 500 m² : 13 months

1000 m² : 8 months

Woltering L, Ndjeunga J, Pasternak D. 2009. The Economics of African Market Garden andWatering Can Irrigation Methods in Niger. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-

Arid Tropics: Working paper series, Socioeconomics and policy, Patancheru, India, 2009. Vol (XXX), (55) (in press)

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Economics

AMG 500m2

-8000

-4000

0

4000

8000

12000

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

discount percentage

NPV

(U

S$)

100%

75%

50%

25%

Marketable

However AMG requires

1. Investment

2. Land ownership

3. Professional attitude

4. Market Access

Educated Experienced Vegetable producers

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AMG models

How to reach the poor farmers?1. Investment: - Share costs2. Land Ownership: - Target farmer groups

that own land 3. Professional attitude- Provide cost-effective

training/follow up 4. Market Access - Joint marketing and

purchase of inputs

Target: Producer groups to benefit from economies of scale

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AMG models

Cluster and Communal AMG system– No need for individual reservoirs, boreholes or

pumps– Easy access for training and monitoring– Mutual learning among producers– Joint marketing and purchase of inputs

CLUSTER of 500m2 plots

COMMUNALmanagement of 5,000 m²

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AMG models: Cluster

One large water source, but producers have individual control of water and fertilizer

Target: Group of independent vegetable producers

Pressure provided by Dam elevated above field (rice fields)

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AMG models: Cluster

Yelou- Gaya Region (Niger)

5 ha

Pressure provided by artesian borehole (4-5 m head)

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Yelou- Nov 2009

Yelou- Gaya Region (Niger)

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AMG models: Cluster

Keur Yarba (Senegal)

Pressure provided by underutilized water towers borehole (7-10 m head)

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AMG models: Communal

20-m3 concrete reservoir serves an area of 5,000 m2Community provision of basic services (Water, fertilizer

and chemical spray)Field subdivided to individual producers

Target: Group of well-organized vegetable producers

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AMG models: Communal

Dunkassa- Kalale Region (Benin)

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AMG models: Communal

Tanka- Dallol Baleyara (Niger)

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AMG models

Great benefits from collective action, yet Organisation is key for sustainability:

• Contributions to common cash for purchase inputs or to strengthen group (credit to members).

• Legalize status of Land• Internal rules and regulations

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AMG models

2001 2005 2006 2007

The development of the AMG models was driven by decreasing set up costs while achieving higher profits /unit land

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Alternative Energy

AMG requires only 1-meter pressure for operation it can draw on low-capacity renewable energy sources like

solar, artesian wells or gravity from low elevation

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artesian wells

Artesian Wells in Niger

Koutoumbou- Gaya region

Estimated 100 m3/hr

Damana- Baleyara area

5-8 m3/hr

Diginessa- Ouallam

10 m3/hr

Wankam- Baleyara

5-8 m3/hr

Kolo Bangou- Baleyara area

5m3/hr

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Alternative Energy

Irrigation with Solar energy • independent of fuel availability

and price fluctuations• Low maintenance fit well in rural

settings• Self regulator; solar radiation is the main

driver of both pump speed and evapotranspiration of crops

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Alternative Energy

Solar energy

qty. unit cost total cost amortz. total cost amortz. total cost amortz.US$ US$ US$/year US$ US$/year US$ US$/year

Initial costs 2 178 356 89 400 80 4,000 500

Maintenance 30 120 30

Fuel 0 1,920 0

Labor (mhr) 5,320 0.28 1,478 0 0

Total 1,597 2,120 530

Motorpump (3hp) Solar pumpHand pump

Assume: •Water need 80 m3/day for 200 days/year•Sandy soil, water at 5m depth•Labor 125CFA/hr (0.27 $/hr)•Fuel 0.12 L to move 1m3 at 1 US$/liter•Compare hand pump (4yr lifetime), motor pump (5yr), solar pump (8yr)

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Alternative Energy

Solar energy Compatible with Communal AMG Reservoirs serve as battery (energy stored in form of

water elevated above field)

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Alternative Energy

Solar energy Benin Micro Irrigation project Project Donor/partner: SELF

(Solar Electric Light Fund)Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca6qw5x_n-M

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Alternative Energy

Solar energy Benin Micro Irrigation project

Gross revenues per women (120m2)Dry season Rainy season total

US$ US$ US$Bessassi 1 67 65 132Bessassi 2 144 76 220

Dunkassa 167 112 279Average 126 84 210

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Options for dissemination AMG in West Africa

• Go for Producer groups to benefit from economies of scale

• Provide minimum 2 years of technical support• Utilize existing infrastructure/resources and

alternative energy

Niger groundwater resources: renewable 3 billion m3/year and fossil 2000 billion m3– development is restricted by lack of energy/high cost of energy

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Requirements for large scale dissemination AMG

• Private sector development for provision of irrigation equipment, seeds, knowledge, etc AMG service centers

• Conducive institutional environment: credit available, long repayment periods, subsidies and tax regulations

• Capacity building

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Research focus

• Improved vegetable varieties, processing and storage techniques for smallholder producers

• Bio pesticides/fertilizer solutions• Socio economic evaluations AMG vs

traditional systems• Low cost alternatives for pumps (alternative

energies), reservoirs and other components of AMG

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The way ahead

Effective large-scale dissemination of the AMG will require the establishment of service centers that give the following services:

• Planning• Supply of equipment and materials

(fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, plants plastics etc)

• Training and follow up

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Merci

• Thank you