by O. Cofie (Basin Leader, CPWF-Volta) on behalf of the VBDC team Presented at the Final Volta Basin Development Challenge Science Workshop, September 2013

1. A Partner
of
Introduction to CPWF-Volta
Volta Basin Development Challenge
Olufunke Cofie Basin Leader, CPWF-Volta
On behalf of the VBDC Team
VBDC Final Science Workshop
17-19 September, 2013
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

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Content
1. VBDC
2. Background
3. Approach
4. Progress and achievements
5. Gaps
6. Workshop Objectives

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Volta Basin Development Challenge (VBDC)
Explores institutional, socio-economic and technical
options for improving the management of rainwater
and small reservoirs so that they can be used equitably
for multiple purposes

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Context
The Volta Basin
• Area: apx. 400,000 km2
• Popn. apx 20 million; 70 % rural; 2.5 % growth rate
• Rainfed agriculture with supplementary irrigation
• Population below $2/day: >70 % in 5 out of 6 countries
• Annual rainfall: 500 - 1,600 mm:
• Reservoirs: 3 Large reservoirs for hydropower;
over 2000 small reservoirs for multiple uses

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Key drivers
1. Climate variability
2. Demographic pressure
3. Trans-boundary issues
4. Increasing demand for water: non-
agric use
5. Political- Socio-economic conditions
5

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CPWF Research Phases
• Phase I: 2003 – 2008.
key messages:
– Small reservoirs can improve water access and increase water related
benefits for local communities
– Rainwater productivity can be increased by in-field water harvesting
and soil fertility improvement
– Integrated strategies are needed for effective innovations

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Rain Water management Small Reservoirs
Ground Water
Management
Coordination
High Importance &
High Impact
Improved soil water
management
Clarifying ownership and
management
Dissemination, adaptation and
adoption of research outputs
High Impact
Develop micro- et macro-
finance schemes
Enhance nutritive food
production
Enhancing crop-livestock
Integration
Tools for Water Quality
Management
Conflict Resolution
High Importance
Valorization of
shallow
Groundwater
Stakeholders meeting (Nov. 09)
CPWF Phase 1 Results: http://volta.waterandfood.org
Focus: ameliorate water scarcity problems in the basin’s dryland areas

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From Phase I to Phase II
• Stakeholder Consultations: 2009
– Need to improve soil water management under rainfed
condition; improve small reservoirs management, tools for
water quality management valorization, groundwater
• Phase II: 2010 – 2013
– Volta Basin development Challenge

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• Project V1 – Targeting and scaling out
• Project V2 – Integrated management of rainwater for crop-livestock
systems
• Project V3 – Integrated management of small reservoirs for multiple uses
• Project V4 – Sub-basin management and governance of rainwater
and small reservoirs
• Project V5 – Coordination and learning for adaptive management and
change
VBDC Projects

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VBDC Approach
• R4D with following elements:
– Multiple discipline / institution:
– Partnership
– Multiple scales
– Engagement with end users
– Flexible space to adapt
– Participatory action research
– Outcome focused
– Reflection and learning

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Data Collection: use of participatory methods

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Installations, data logging, lab and computer modeling

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Progress and Achievements
• Generated information and better understanding
– Processes and practices
– R4D implementation
• Tools and Methods for
– Dialogue and Negotiation
– Investment in Ag water management
Targeting agricultural water management interventions
Using innovation platforms to strengthen value chains
Options for equitable and sustainable use of small reservoirs
Water governance options in West Africa
Lessons learned on implementing research for development

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Results…
• Partnerships
• Capacity building:
– farmers;
– extension;
– researchers
– young professionals

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In Conclusion
• Significant progress
• Not all achieved:
– Too ambitious for the time available
– Modification (adaptive management) to make
research more relevant
– Funding challenges

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Thanks
www.volta.waterandfood.org