Irrigation project, Achocalla valley

LOCATION: municipality of Achocalla
PROJECT PERIOD: 2004
PICTURES: (temporarily not available)
DESCRIPTION: several villages benefit from the improvement of their traditional irrigation canals

Problem:

In the valley of Achocalla, near the city of El Alto, the traditional irrigation system which already exists for hundreds of years is still in use for the benefit of several villages. Because the small canals are made of mud, water sinks easily into the ground and all kinds of natural materials that get in the canals would immediately restrain the water flow from running smoothly. Loss of water is a major problem. Often the water did not reach the fields of far off families anymore. The water problem restrains an agricultural sustainability in certain areas.

Solution:

If the water source -a small pond with a ´door´ that leads to the canals- is properly maintained and if the canals are made of cement instead of mud, the water loss will be greatly reduced. The use of cement in the canals has the additional benefit that water can run faster, further and in a larger quantity. The result will be that more people will more efficiently benefit from the irrigation system. This can lead to an extended agricultural proceed. Furthermore, the traditional system of day-changing water chiefs who are responsible for the partition of the water can be maintained. The advantage of cemented canals is that the partition takes less time, so the chief does not have to open the source entrance at 3 o'clock in the morning anymore.

Result:

The irritation system has been improved by changing the texture of all canals into cement. This is done by the work of all men and women of the several beneficiary villages. They have done a great deal of work. The canals are now extended by several kilometres, connecting 5 villages. Furthermore, the entrance door of the water source has been strengthened, so less water is spoiled. The chiefs of the villages have set up a committee and strong maintaining rules to assure the sustainability of the system. A few months after finishing the project, several additional families bought material of their own financial capital and extended the irrigation system so they benefit from the water supply as well.


FUNDING: German Embassy in Bolivia, Chakana