THE TCP/YEM/0065 PROJECT SITES ANALYSIS OF AGRONOMIC PRACTICES AND PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGICAL PACKEGES UNDER IRRIGATION FOR THE TCP/YEM/0065 PROJECT SITES

INTRODUCTION This presentation will include the following: An overview of the quick participatory diagnosis of agronomic practices for the major crops practiced in the project sites. The constraints that are limiting the improvement of crop productivity and therefore are reducing water use efficiency. The proposed solutions to address all these issues. Recommendations for the expansion phase of the project.

Technique used The participatory Agronomic Appraisal (APA) techniques to determine farmers needs and record farmers' perceptions

The main activities of this plan were: Determination of the priorities and importance of economical crops in order to improve their production under the modern irrigation water system. Specify the dominant problems and priorities for cultivated crops in project locations. Analyze the main problems and recognize the factors causing them. Suggest quick, effective, easy and possible applying solutions. Training the beneficiaries on mechanism of production improvement

Introductory comments The task of irrigation specialist is to make sure that water is brought from a well, reservoir, or any other source to fields with a minimum loss. There are several definitions of the Water Use Efficiency: a technical definition which is the mass of agricultural produce per unit of water consumed. an economic definition which means the value of product (s) produced per unit of water volume consumed .

Agronomists should therefore strive for the implementations of management techniques that will allow the farmer make a better use of irrigation water or rainfall, and consequently increase the water use efficiency (WUE). WUE = yield/unit area water used to produce yield

The project sites in Ibb Governorate According to surveys, farmers at the three pilot sites, Dakhlat U Waydine, Assari, and Abwam, practice the following crops under irrigation by decreasing order : Potatoes Carrots Maize Wheat Faba bean Sorghum Barley

Constraints that limit potatoes yields and therefore WUE : Poor seed quality Inadequate fertilization Irrigation prior to emergence for potatoes Inadequate disease and insect control

Constraints to better carrot yields and improved WUE : . Costly and time-consuming hand weeding . Seeding method and seeding rate for carrots . Inadequate fertilization management for carrots . Irrigation management for carrots . Carrot protection against diseases

Constraints to better maize yields and improved WUE : Maize varieties and seed quality Seeding rate for maize Fertilization management Irrigation management for better water use efficiency in maize Weed control for better WUE Disease control Insects damage

Constraints to better wheat and Barley yields and improved WUE : Variety selection and good quality seeds Fertilization management Weed control Diseases and insects

Constraints to better Legume yields and improved WUE : Variety selection, good quality seeds and adequate seeding rates Necessity for good fertilizers management Diseases, insects and weed control

The project sites in Al Mahweet Governorate : Appraisal and training on management techniques practiced for sorghum, maize, barley, lentils, faba bean, potato, and tomato. The following constraints were recorded: Poor seed quality Variety or population selection not always based on sound criteria Mismanagement of fertilizers Lack of experience in terms of diseases and insect control Inadequate weed control Higher seeding rates for some crops Importance of farmers associations in access to knowledge and input and in product marketing

Crop Productivity (tons/h) Crop Before After Potato 14 20 Carrot 12 25 Wheat 1.6 3.5 Maize 4 18 Barley 1.5 2.5

General constraints: Lack of marketing strategies and inefficient marketing channels to help farmer distributing his product at a reasonable price and to avoid loss of products during storage. Most of the market value (55-65%) goes to transportation costs and intermediaries. High costs of inputs Illegal import of non-certified seeds, and illegal pesticides. Over exploitation of irrigation water.

General Recommendations The farmer has the perfect right to practice any crop he thinks can allow him to make a living for his family. The state should have a vision and a clear policy on the conservation of water resources and make sure that they are used for good purposes . Research and extension authorities should be implicated during the expansion phase in any effort to increase crop production and water use efficiency in the project sites.

There is a need to conduct more training meetings, workshops and field days at all pilot sites. Companies specializing in seed multiplication, production, and commercialization should be associated to the effort aiming food security in Yemen. Outreach should play a major role during the expansion phase even with constraints facing extension agents

Introduction of some agricultural crops other than cereals, grain legumes and vegetables that can benefit from the expansion phase. The development of alternative crops can contribute to food security while helping in the conservation of resources such as cactus, olive, mango and date palm. The development of greenhouses as a way to improve WUE .

The urgent need to implement soil analysis at the pilot sites to increase the crops productivity and improve WUE.

Recommendations for the Expansion phase of the project TCP/YEM/0065 of the SPFS : The expansion phase within the pilots sites themselves. The expansion phase outside the pilot sites, but in their closest vicinity. The generalization of the experience to other agricultural regions within the Republic of Yemen.

The expansion phase within the current pilot sites: More efficient ways to transport water from a source to the field. Improved irrigation techniques at field level for better use of water (sprinkler and drip irrigation) instead of flooded or furrow irrigation. Alternative and more appropriate management techniques.

The expansion phase outside the pilot sites, but in their closest vicinity : Priority should be given to villages situated in their current vicinity. The adoption of a more comprehensive strategy aiming to work with farmers for the improvement of the management of their crops.

The generalization of the experience to other agricultural regions of the Republic of Yemen : There is a need to capitalize on recent dam construction programs and follow it with the implementation of irrigation networks all around the country. launch a real development plan to which all the national institutions and agencies should collaborate. The necessity for a real mobilization at regional and national level to secure the success of the Water Control Component of the Special Program for Food Security.

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