Modern Irrigation for Developing Nations

Modern pressure irrigation is certainly one of the most popular and sought after course subjects among those offered by CINADCO, the Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation of Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development under the aegis of MASHAV. This subject has, therefore, been planned and implemented in every one of the five working languages of the international training courses during the last five years.

While this popularity may be understandable for developing countries in Latin America and many countries in Asia and the Mediterranean Basin, it is less so in the case of Sub-Saharan African countries where clients are located in a socio-economic environment not very prone to innovation or investment. Maybe this intense interest in pressure irrigation could be accounted for by the mythical aura of "Israel making the desert bloom" or to Israel's reputation in the production of high-tech equipment and its dissemination. Therefore, this rather amazing popularity calls for further inquiry. Abraham Edery, Director of Training at CINADCO, initiated a survey to assess the medium-term relevancy of such courses.

Monitoring and short-term evaluation is part and parcel of the planning and implementation of training courses. After each module, a simple evaluation form is circulated and filled in by the participants. The results are computerized, thereby allowing for an on-line monitoring during the course itself. At the end of the course another questionnaire is distributed called "Final Evaluation," the results of which constitute the immediate results of the training. They are usually attached to the Final Report of the Course.

The survey was conducted in an area where surface irrigation (flooding, open channels and use of small dams to irrigate vegetable gardens and orchards) has been in use for hundreds of years. The impact of this type of training course could best be assessed in Africa where farmer income and therefore investment potential is very low and where pressurized irrigation technology is perceived as being "hi-tech" and well beyond the reach of the average farmer.

Irrigation courses have long been offered by the English and Spanish Divisions of CINADCO. The decision to offer courses dealing with pressure irrigation to the French-speaking clientele in Africa was taken in 1993. This was after many discussions about the relevancy of this type of course. One of the main arguments in favor was the argument that "one does not stop progress" in general. Moreover, these are countries where Israeli manufacturers already sell and operate commercial agricultural projects based on pressure irrigation systems.

The Francophone Division of CINADCO seemed, therefore, a perfect sampling ground as most of its client countries are located in Western and Central Africa, some with plenty of water and most on the ridges of the Sahara Desert with problems of desertification.

Eighty-four questionnaires were sent in February 2000 to trainees who had attended courses on irrigation and extension in 1996, 1997 and 1998. By July 26 had been completed and sent back, which represents 31% of the total.

The countries cover Western Africa, but also Haiti, Cambodia and Madagascar.

The 31% of respondents constitutes quite a good score, especially when taking into account weak or sporadic postal services, high mobility of personnel in Africa and developing nations at large.

Eleven questions had been submitted to the former participants with a score scale from 0 to 10. The twelfth question was optional. 81% of the respondents indicated that irrigation in general represents 70% of their professional activities, either private or as salaried staff. As far as pressure irrigation is concerned, 46% of the respondents currently use pressure irrigation 50% or more of their time.

When asked about the usefulness of the course as related to their present occupations, the result was that 76% of all respondents scored marks between 5 and 10, thereby demonstrating the great usefulness of the course. When requested to answer the question related to the long-term effect of the course over the next 3 years, the score was even higher. 96% gave marks higher than 5 (average of 7.42 out of 10), showing their high expectations related to the professional aspect of the course for their future occupation.

As far as the respondents' feelings about the enhancement of their professional status in relation to peers, supervisors and subordinates, the results showed that 92% felt their status had been enhanced (average 7.35/10) as a result of their participation in the course. Moreover, 65% of the respondents indicated that their income had been markedly improved (average 7.08/10) as a result of their attendance of the course.

Question No. 7 related to the ranking of subjects according to their importance. All subjects scored more than 6 and the three "most important subjects" were 'Applied Hydraulics," "Soil-Plant-Water Relations," and "Irrigation Techniques."

Four subjects were rated as best assimilated: "Soil-Plant-Water Relations," "Extension," "Drip Irrigation" and "Planning of Irrigation Networks." The subjects that would deserve more detailed coverage were "Planning Irrigation Networks," "Applied Hydraulics" and "Soil-Plant-Water Relations."

The general satisfaction level of the course was expressed through a score of 8.30 on 10 average score whereby 96% of respondents gave a score of 5 or more. To the question whether respondents were in touch with Israeli manufacturers of irrigation equipment, 7 out of 26 replied affirmatively and 13 negatively, 6 of whom indicated they would like to be. (The names of the companies most frequently stated are available through the Editor.)

Perhaps the most striking expressions can be found in the free opinion part where respondents were requested to given opinions of those "closest to them" (spouse, friends, colleagues, etc.) on the changes perceived in them following their stay in Israel and since their return.

Here are some excerpts:

A colleague: "The participation in the course in Israel has largely contributed to Mr. F.'s dedication to promote pressurized irrigation in his country. Furthermore," says the colleague, "Mr. F. has gained much technological knowledge and it added to his personality."

A colleague: "Has become more punctual, and more tolerant towards his colleagues."

A Chief of Division, Dept. of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, about one of his subordinates: "The course improved his level of responsibility and the management of his files. Therefore, we promoted him to be the chief of a large hydraulics project [in Guinea]. This project he completed with much devotion and success."

Respondents' opinions:

"Upon my return from Israel I was greeted triumphantly by my family, my loved ones and by almost the whole village. I am the first son of my village to ever have set foot on the holy ground of the Promised Land. During one whole month I recounted to my friends and family what I learned and what I saw in Israel. On Christmas Eve I was invited by our preacher to bear witness, before the congregation of all I saw in Israel."

"My colleagues say that my professional capacity has greatly improved, since I have acquired much knowledge of irrigation. They also say I have become more motivated in my work, and more pragmatic. They also claim that I underestimate their way of working and their approach to problem solving, which may seem like a negative thing but which reassures me because I know that in their eyes it isn't negative at all."

"The course was very much appreciated by my wife and friends who enjoyed hearing all about the holy sites and the love and courage the Israelis have concerning their land."

"My colleagues in the ministry are so impressed by the expertise I have acquired in my field (physical planning), that they now call me an 'expert.'"

"Upon my return I presented a report of the course to my superiors with the help of slides photographed in Israel. My superiors were very impressed and are now researching the best way to apply a system of drip irrigation in our region."

"My family says that since my return, my behavior is hardly Senegalese at all (maybe it is Israeli), for example, I now help out in the kitchen and with the housework, I arrive at meetings on time, and I recriminate public disorder and impropriety like inconsiderate driving. Contrarily, in Israel, even on the road people ask to be given the right of way with the typical hand gesture (slicha)."

"In general, those around me have noticed that I have become an Israeli. When the radio or TV broadcast news regarding Israel, I make everyone listen, and when I speak of the Israelis I say 'we.'"

Finally here are some general observations as expressed by the

respondents:

"The course was very well organized. The hospitality was remarkable. The safety of the participants was guaranteed. However, the duration of the course was a bit short in comparison to similar courses in France, Germany and the USA."

"The course was very interesting and satisfactory. However the fact that participants receive a certificate at the end of the course and not a diploma makes it difficult to obtain the position needed to allow the application of the techniques studied, which is crucial for developing countries such as ours."

"Toda Raba [thank you] for the knowledge you have transmitted to me, I love you people of Israel - Jews of the world. "Anakhnou modim lakhem mikol Halev lahitraot" [we thank you with all our heart, see you again], I love you, "Ani medaber ivrit, quetsat" [I speak Hebrew, a little]. Peace on Israel."

"I was enthusiastic to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. I will be glad to apply all that I learned in Israel in Haiti in order to improve the irrigation and agriculture here."

"The course is very important but more attention should be given to the subjects of fertigation and plant protection."

"The course was very enriching, but I wish the Israelis would teach drip irrigation systems in our countries, with properly adapted equipment."

"This course was very enriching, especially the extension part of it which has greatly contributed to my professional life, since I work with local farmers."

"The course was good. It allowed us to refresh our knowledge in the field, and the contact with the Israeli reality was very constructive."