Project Detail

Irrigation for resilience

Tegh community is located at the south-eastern border of Armenia. Local population used to cultivate neighboring arid lands for decades. However, as a result of the recent military crisis, most of the farmlands were lost that affected the living standards of the population. In addition, some 250 families were displaced and found refuge in the community who need more resources to ensure their subsistence. Now the community has to rely on limited land resources and look for irrigation to start high value crop production.

The project proposes the construction of a complete irrigation system for Tegh settlement of Tegh community, which consists of a pumping station equipped with solar panels, a pumping pipeline to the upper part of the village, repair of the reservoir and a gravity distribution network. Work with beneficiary farmers, support for the transition to sustainable, high-value agriculture is also planned.

The construction of an irrigation system is a complex project that includes also co-funding from state subvention, the Embassy of Lithania, USAID Improved Water Management Program. The irrigation system will allow to make a transition to high-value agriculture, to irrigate additional 300 hectares of farmland. As a result, around 200 households will have the opportunity to improve their social situation by receiving advice and irrigation to practice sustainable agriculture.

The project will have environmental and social impact as it will prevent degradation of land though application of sustainable agriculture methods and irrigation and will enhance local population?s opportunities to increase their income.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Urban Sustainable Development Foundation

Country:

Armenia

Area Of Work:

Land Degradation

Operational Phase:

OP7 Y3 (July 22-June 23)

Grant Amount:

US$ 25,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 238,010.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 10,700.00

Project Number:

ARM/SGP/OP7/Y3/CORE/LD/23/17

Start Date:

8/2023

End Date:

11/2024

Status:

Currently under execution

Project Characteristics and Results

Gender Focus

As most of men in the community are involved in military service, agricultural work in all settlements of Tegh community is mainly done by women. They are responsible for farming and looking after the cattle as well as marketing the produce. Lack of water makes their work yet harder and less rewarding. As a result the project implementation, irrigation will become available for households, which will provide an opportunity to run the economy more efficiently and provide greater income from the available land. About 20 families displaced from Artsakh, comprising mostly of women and children, are also among beneficiaries, who will also take advantage of the created infrastructure.

Notable Community Participation

Due to the high rate of unemployment, youth tend to leave the community. To address this issue, the project will strive to engage the community youth in the project implementation process to create employment and income generation opportunities for them. Youth will be involved in earthwork and rehabilitation activities; at the same time they will be involved in operation of solar panels and get a hands-on knowledge about renewable energy use. Simultaneously, it is planned to raise public awareness of global environmental issues through practical training and information sharing, with special attention to reducing indifference among youth and schoolchildren.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

It is expected that as a result of the project implementation, about 300 ha of community farmlands will be irrigated, thus reducing the risk of land degradation. Moreover, the application of solar-powered irrigation will reduce the cost of irrigation water by about 40% due to the use of solar energy, making the service more affordable for consumers. Beneficiary farmers will be provided with high-value crops and introduced to sustainable agriculture principles, that will enable about 200 households to increase their income by about 2-3 times, starting from the 2nd year of the project completion.

Replication of project activities

It is expected that certain project activities that have innovative components can be further replicated and scaled-up. In particular, installing a water flow meter at the entry to the system to monitor the amount of water taken from the main water pipe will significantly improve the performance of Water User?s Association or other entity responsible for operation of the system. Also, installation of a floating valve on the water reservoir to remotely turn off the pump will help avoiding overfilling of the basin and flooding of the surroundings and wasting water. Such innovative elements can be replicated in other irrigation systems as well.

Project sustainability

It is expected that the project sustainability will be ensured through the following results achieved: ? Equitable access to irrigation water ensured for all residents of Tegh settlement. ? Improved social and economic conditions of local population including displaced families by introducing high value crops. ? Partially substituting non-renewable energy with solar energy while operating the pump. ? Degradation of lands prevented ? Capacity of local farmers developed by exposing them to environmental knowledge, sustainable agriculture.

Capacity - Building Component

N/A

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

N/A

Linkages gef projects

N/A

Planning gef grant

N/A

Planning non gef grant

N/A

Policy Impact

N/A

Policy Influence

N/A

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The project will disseminate information on progress made, meetings and trainings held via different channels and media, including but not limited to the municipality, schools, and special announcements in the municipality. The wider segment of the society will have a chance to get information about the project also through the community website and social media.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The project will provide customized consultancy to the beneficiaries of the project to make transition towards high-value crop production and sustainable agriculture. Respective leaflets and brochures will be developed and disseminated among beneficiary farmers.

Project Results

The project will produce the following results:

? At least 300 ha become irrigated that help prevent desertification, thus ensuring application of sustainable agriculture practices and long-term productivity of land.
? Irrigation costs reduced by 40% reduction through installation of a PV system, making the service more affordable for consumers.
? Beneficiary farmers have increased practical knowledge and capacities to apply sustainable agricultural practices as well as enhance the rural value chain.
? Around 200 households significantly increased their income, starting from the second year upon the project's completion.
? The community has enhanced capacity to manage its own water resources by providing reliable data.

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Indicators

Empowerment

Number and type of support linkages established with national government institutions 1

Biophysical

Hectares of degraded land rest 300

Livehood

Number of households who have benefited* from SGP project 200

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