Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Small Scale Irrigation (ILSSI) Gender and Irrigation Technical Workshop Protea Hotel Courtyard April 20 th - 21 st, 2016 Dar es Salaam,

Small scale irrigation, Gender and Challenges of uptake Henry Mahoo and Tatu Mnimbo Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro

Outline of the presentation Introduction on small scale irrigation in Tanzania Gender issues in small scale irrigation Challenges of uptake

Introduction Small scale irrigation The use of irrigation in Tanzania dates back from the Iron Age. Traditional irrigation systems have long been of considerable importance in various parts of the country Rural household economies dependent on rain-fed agriculture are increasingly turning to irrigation technology solutions to counter weather variability, and guard against low crop yields.

Intro. Over the past decade, there has been an increasing emphasis on the need to integrate gender into irrigation programs. One reason for this is that water-related projects are usually implemented by engineers who RARELY integrate gender concerns in irrigation schemes (Rathgeber, 2003; Van Koppen, 2002; Zwarteveen, 1998). Classification and Types of irrigation schemes are briefly discussed next

Classification of irrigation schemes In Tanzania, there is no formal classification of irrigation schemes, But the informal and accepted categorization that is currently used divides schemes into 3 categories: (i) small-scale irrigation (0–200 ha), (ii) medium-scale irrigation (200–500 ha), and (iii) large-scale irrigation (>500 ha).

Types of irrigation schemes: i)Traditional irrigation ii)Improved traditional irrigation iii)Water harvesting based irrigation iv)Modern irrigation [Some examples of each are illustrated next]

HEADWORKS for a typical Traditional irrigation scheme

MAIN CANAL for a typical Traditional irrigation scheme

Improved Headworks of the Msemembo irrigation scheme, Singida Lined canals in the Msemembo irrigation scheme, Singida Improved traditional irrigation

Spate water harvesting-Makanya village - SAME

Spate water harvesting-Makanya village

MAJALUBA RWH-SHINYANGA WOMENT AT WORK IN A JALUBA Water harvesting based irrigation

Modern irrigation schemes

Gender issues Gender refers to the social relationship/ roles and responsibilities of men and women, the expectations held about the characteristics, aptitudes and likely behaviours of both women and men (femininity and masculinity) that are learned, change over time and vary within and between cultures

Gender and irrigation Attention to gender issues in irrigation arises from two basic concerns. The first is the neglect of gender considerations in many irrigation programs, and The second is the recognition of the important role played by women in agricultural activities, and the constraints they face in accessing productive resources and technologies

Gender challenges in irrigation uptake Access and ownership of resources i) Women may not benefit from irrigation technologies due to their poor access to ownership of land and finance. ii) Land ownership-Farmers who own their land may benefit more from these technologies than those who do not.

Challenges cont. iii) Intra-household dynamics  Bargaining power - Due to this factor, Irrigation technologies may be used to irrigate men’s plots and crops at the expense of women’s plots  Decision Making – who decides in the household? iv) The development and dissemination of irrigation technologies  Some irrigation technologies are not gender sensitive-e.g. Pumps for irrigation that are too heavy for women to lift/transport from home to the fields

Addressing the challenges: possible solutions Direct targeting technologies that are user friendly Participatory technology development with women farmers, amongst others Address land ownership and empower the less advantaged to own land Provide subsidies to the less advantaged Recognition that development policies impact female and male differently there is need to ensure that the needs of all groups in the society are taken on board during policy development, implementation

The PIDP project experience ( ) About 40% of project beneficiaries were women. Gender training helped to break down cultural and institutional barriers that overburdened women, and sensitising beneficiaries on division of responsibilities and sharing of resources. Women participated as direct owners of the relocated paddy plots, involvement in leadership, trade and membership to the SACCOs and other economic groups started as a result of the programme intervention. Constructed shallow wells eased the burden and reduced time women spent in search of water.

cont Women started small or petty business as another means of extending their livelihoods and started horticultural production during off-season to promote their income. Facilitation to acquire skills for entrepreneur and business management as well as in enhancing capacity to mobilize and manage funds was also provided. This helped in building capacities and capabilities of women to be financially self-sufficient. Gender sensitive communication channels and skills developed to reach women farmers helped in reducing the information gap between men and women. Scheme management structures were established and women on an average were represented in scheme management.

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