The document describes a rainwater harvesting system developed for smallholder farmers in Nicaragua to ensure a sustainable water supply. The system collects and stores rainwater in an underground reservoir for irrigation and domestic use during the 4-month dry season. It was implemented on 42 farms in 2015 and another 42 farms in 2016. The system costs $203 USD per farm to install and provides over 64 cubic meters of water storage to meet farms' 16 cubic meter per month needs during the dry season, ensuring water security when rainfall is low.

1. Rainwater harvesting system
to ensure sustainability of smallholder farmers
Low availability of water for irrigation and
consumption, particularly in the four months of low
rainfall.
Climate challenge
Practice description
Development of a water-harvesting structure for the storage and use of
rainwater in irrigation and domestic uses (not human consumption), which
allow to collect, distribute and store the water to be used especially during
the dry season. It is non-polluting, and encourages the efficient use of water.
Technical aspects
The practice contributes to adaptation and food security given that together with the harvested water, this prac-
tice ensures the supply of water for domestic requirements and irrigation of the home garden. The practice also
contributes to mitigation given that water is used more efficiently.
Implementation and results
Contribution to CSA pillars
Due to the shortage or unavailability of water,
especially in times of low rainfall, how is it possible to
maintain the productivity of the farm, storing
rainwater?
Research question
Estimation of monthly water requirements
for the farm and the feasibility of
developing the structure.
The farm 'El Nacedero' requires 16m3
/ month
for agricultural activities,
of which 70% is for irrigation
and 30% for domestic use.
11.2m3
4.8m3
With rainwater harvesting,
it is possible to store all the rainfall to be
used during the dry season, which ranges
from 8 to 5m3
during the four months.
The water collected during
the dry season ensures water
for the home garden and
household chores.17m3
20m3
64m3
Total water requirement
in 4 months
Maximum and minimum
of water harvested and
extracted from the well
during the dry season
21
42
families implemented
the practice
in 2015.
In 2016,
42 more families
implemented the practice.
The structure is in Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
and has a minimum service life of years15
Reservoir built in Nicaragua for harvesting water,
a CIAT / FLAR project. Photo: Neil Palmer
The implementation of the practice , it costs
$610.000 (USD203)Exchange rate: COP3.000/USD
CCAFS Latin America
International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
Km. 17 Recta Cali-Palmira. Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
The well located in the farm allows to pump
a maximum of 6m3
/ month in wet season
and 3m3
/ month in dry season.