INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE SYSTEM ANALYSIS TOOLS FOR RIVER WRM AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL Amr AbdelMeguid Project Manager CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ARAB REGION AND EUROPE

2 Project Setting The “System Tools for River WRM at the District Level” Project, is one of the demonstration projects within the REWARD Programme initiated by the DGCS/ WESCANA Project and supported by the IUCN Water and Nature Initiative (WANI), funded by DGIS/ The Netherlands. Up-scaling of methodologies and insights, are realized through the sub-networks on different water resource systems of REWARD’s Regional Water Knowledge Network.

3 Overview & Introduction Egypt’s Area: 1million km2 - lies in North Africa - Sinai Peninsula in the Northeast is in Asia Population of Egypt : 80 millions, living mostly in the Nile Valley and Delta areas, i.e. less than 5% of the total area resulting in a very high population density.

4 WATER SCARCITY IN EGYPT The annual per capita share has reduced from more than 2500m 3 (in 1950) to <900m 3 in the year 2000, and further projected to fall to about 500 m 3 by the year 2050

5 MAJOR PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE PROJECT AREA Background Poor livelihoods of rural households Poor agricultural productivity Inadequate water resources management (WRM)

6 Insufficient communication between stakeholders Lack of awareness Insufficient data sharing and coordination Weak monitoring systems Insufficient decision support mechanisms

7 Economic and financial sustainability Improvement of irrigation and drainage management and use-efficiency Improvement and enhancement of communication between key stakeholders Empowerment of farmers

8 PROJECT PARTNERS CARE Egypt CEOSS

9 PROJECT DONORS

10 MAIN STAKEHOLDERS Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (Irrigation Department) Ministry of Agriculture (Lands and Water department) Drinking water Authority Farmers and CDAs, Water users

11 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Security of poor people and their livelihoods enhanced through the demonstration and scaling-up of sustainable management of water resources and ecosystem services

12 PROJECT GOAL Security of people and their livelihoods in Egypt enhanced through the demonstration and scaling up of sustainable management of water resources and ecosystem, through the adoption of System Analysis approach and tools in a coordinated fashion at different decision making levels.

13 PROJECT AREA Beni-Suef Governorate (Ehnasia district) 46,500 feddans – population 250,000 Minia Governorate (Samallout district) 86,000 feddans –Population 500,000

14 PROJECT COMPONENTS Stakeholder Facilitation and Baseline Conditions Stakeholder identification Motivation and establishment of communication amongst key stakeholders Establishment of Databases and Information Systems Establishment of a model for estimating water needs, and creating an efficient distribution system. Establishment of inter and intra-stakeholder communication Development of DSTs Raising awareness and capacity building

15 DSS DESCRIPTION A DSS is a common computer-based platform for communication, information management and analysis of water resources It provides a framework for: –Sharing knowledge –Understanding Irrigation system behavior –Evaluating alternative management strategies. Supporting decision making related to: –Water Management at District Level –Optimal Cropping Pattern

16 Optimize water management through the use of a mathematical model Provide district engineers and water distribution managers with tools to help them distribute water within equity principles. Help farmers utilize their lands specially at water shortage places and periods. DSS OBJECTIVES

17 DSS TOOLS Establish a monitoring network including inflows and outflows sites that will enable: – Demand management – Water balance calculations Implement when necessary flow measurements, to support the water distribution to be based on flows rather than levels Socio-economic information.

18 DSS COMPONENTS Data Base DB –Irrigation System related data –Crop pattern related data –GIS manages data stored at DB Model –No. of Sub-models for cause-effect relationship Knowledge base –Rules & procedures Man Machine Interface (GUI) –How user requests go to the DSS and DSS responses

19 Expected Results Communication, mutual understanding and conceptual and applicability gaps bridged successfully between different stakeholders at different levels. Result 1 Proper flow of information and analysis at the district level and between central- local levels. Result 2 Significant operational support provided by Key System Analysis tools (DST) for operational and effective management of water resources at the District scales in a coordinated fashion. Result 3 Increased economic efficiency and/or financial sustainability achieved in the local communities, attributed to better information management and decisions supported by system tools. Result 4 A started diffusion process in Egypt and the Region, fostering widespread adoption of participatory-based system tools. Result 5

20 Project Progress until now Assessment of Prevailing Baseline conditions Identifying the stakeholders at National and Local Levels Identifying stakeholders Needs The local teams were trained on how to prepare the problems trees The local communities were trained on data collection

21 Water Resources Model The developed water balance model include the following: The system was initially designed to serve the operation at district level. The updated design allows multiple levels. The current design support operation at district, directorate and national levels. The flow equations for different irrigation structures were incorporated in system design. The system automatically calculates flows. The system also includes inflow and outflow sites

22 Water Resources Model The system provides customized reports. The system includes information on available resources and current needs. The system is generic that can be easily configured to work in other places. The system allows manual data entry and/or automatic data entry which could be collected from an automatic monitoring network. The system has a friendly graphic user interface. Possible system extension and future interfacing with other components is also considered in the design.

23 Early Warning System The Ehnasia drainage pumping station was selected to implement the Early Warning System at. With the support of the Ministry of water resources and irrigation, the system equipment was installed at the pumping stations. Site preparation work includes civil and steel works. The system measures water levels upstream and downstream the pumping station. The pump units status and operating hours are also recorded and transmitted to the irrigation office. Future work will include a software module to utilize the warning signals for management scenarios.

24 Awareness and Capacity Building This component targets the awareness, and capacity building at different levels. This is an ongoing process throughout the project. Progress included major events; Awareness Seminar on Agricultural Practices to Rationalize Water Resources Use and Maximize Economic Benefits. Training courses on the operation of the water balance Model. Training course on Introduction to GIS.

25 Thank You