Success Stories
The Capeco Irrigation Dam
In the past, if the farmers in the small village of Capeco, located in the Balombo municipality commune of Chindungo in Benguela Province, wanted to grow vegetables during the dry season they had to pay or work for the owner of the only pipe in the village. There was no irrigation system in place, and the only way to water their vegetable gardens was by paying for the services of the pipe. To do this they had to make and sell charcoal, or work on the pipe owner's land in exchange for the service.
"Paying the Piper"The villagers meet with Catholic Relief Services agriculture project staff participating in the USAID/FFP funded CDRA Food Security Program to discuss their idea of constructing a diversion dam on the small stream near their community. The dam would allow all members of the community, and not just those with enough money to rent the services of the irrigation tube, to produce vegetables and field crops during the dry season. It would also increase the irrigated area allowing more farmers to cultivate during the dry season. A plan was established where the villagers would provide all the local materials and labor for the construction of the dam and canals, and the CDRA project would provide tools, cement and technical support. The village "soba" (traditional leader) agreed with the plan, and promised to donate plots of communal land to families participating in the project not having any in the areas targeted for irrigation.
"Not Just Another Dam Meeting"The picture below shows how the community was able to divert the water flow using locally available resources (except for the tarpaulin/canvas provided by the project) enabling the dam to be constructed. A work plan was established involving all members of the community, with the men cutting poles, transporting rocks and sand, preparing the cement and constructing the dam, and the women collecting firewood, cooking meals, and preparing the shallow canals that would carry the water to the fields.
"Not Staying the Course"The dam was completed in three weeks and irrigates 8 hectares of land. The 37 families cultivating this land (23 men and 14 women heads - of - households) are extremely happy as they no longer have to pay for the use of water, and can now cultivate during the "lean/hungry" five month dry period. Project staff helped the farmers establish communal vegetable nurseries and all the families were able to produce vegetables without the fear of losing their gardens due to a lack of water. Additionally, they are also cultivating beans, maize and sweet potatoes.
"Watching the River Flow"After the completion of the dam the villagers asked project staff for assistance in establishing the cultivation of Irish potatoes in the area. The farmers realized that with a secure water source they could now begin increasing their production activities and sell their produce in the local markets. A pilot activity was initiated and the project provided each family with 10 kg of potato seed which produced a harvest of over 1.5 MT of potatoes. They are planning to conserve enough seeds for the next planting season, or save money from their sales to purchase seeds again next year.
"A Field Where There Previously Was None"This small irrigation dam is having a great impact in the community because it is changing the lives of the farmers, and they are already beginning to plan for the next dry-season production period. Thus, other neighboring communities are asking for similar project support as they can see the changes that have occurred in Capeco. CRS staff assisted the farmers to find buyers for the potatoes and are helping them develop management plans for their earnings.
