A number of stakeholders related to SSPI were identified (Table 6.24). Most supported treadle pumps compared to motorized pumps. Except for commercial distributors, no organization supported individual motorized pumps. These stakeholders either directly or indirectly supported pump adoption and/or their continued-use.
6.5.1 Stakeholders influencing pump adoption
Organizations that directly supported pump adoption included public institutions, donor-initiated government projects and private institutions. Analysis revealed that these organizations were mandated to support pump adoption through the distribution of free/subsidized pumps, provision of irrigation extension, capacity building of farmers and construction irrigation infrastructures. The strategies that these organizations used were different. For example, government promoted free group treadle pumps whereas most Projects promoted subsidized individual and group pumps. Similarly, the government only provided pumps’ with little or no technical assistance while most Projects also provided farmers with other services such as free farm inputs and technical support. For commercial pump distributors, although there were very few and only available in town centres, these too directly supported adoption by ensuring pumps and accessories’ availability.
Most NGOs supported treadle pump adoption, although their mandates were not related to SSPI. Promotion of pumps was considered as one of strategies for attaining their respective goals. For example most local and international NGOs (Table 6.24) were mandated to improve food security or reduce poverty. To achieve such goals, they distributed free or subsidized treadle pumps in anticipation to increase the farmers’ yields. However, the strategies used differed. For example, one NGO indicated that it disseminates subsidized treadle pumps by setting targets (e.g. number of pumps) for its extension workers to distribute to farmers within a specific period. Another NGO indicated that it distributes the pumps if farmers had potential irrigated areas. Whether, these approaches corresponded with the farmers’ needs is unknown.
6.5.2 Stakeholders supporting pumps’ continued-use
A number of organizations provided support that encouraged pump to be continued- use (Table 6.24) especially for treadle pumps. Unlike government that used general agriculture extension workers (AEDOs), most other organizations used own extension workers who were skilled in SSPI. About a third supported farmers with irrigation structures such as constructing and maintaining water sources (e.g. wells, ponds, and dams) for pump use. Since some farmers were challenged with pump water supply, this possibly encouraged them to continue using the pumps. A number of organizations (Table 6.24) supported farmers by facilitating group formations (e.g. Water User Associations-WUAs). Some organizations trained farmers on pump management, repair and maintenance and gross margin analysis. For example, treadle pump farmers were trained on local repair and maintenance by the NGOs and some Projects organizations. Further, most NGOs and some Projects (Table 6.24) combined pump distribution with free farm inputs (seeds, fertilizers and herbicides) and technical services to farmers. This approach motivated farmers to continue using the pumps. Apart from vendors, no organization supported farmers in marketing of their irrigated products.
Table 6.24: List of other stakeholders involved in SSPI in Malawi
No Stakeholde
r
Pump type & category
Type Service provided Level of
delivery Activities involved 1 Department of Irrigation (DOI) Motorized & treadle (group & individual)
Govt. Free pump
distribution, technical skills e.g. scheme designs
National Free pumps distribution, installation, operation maintenance & water management 2 Ministry of Agriculture Group motorized & treadle
Govt. Extension and training services
National Crop and irrigation management techniques 3 World Bank Treadle and
motorized (group)
Donor Providing funds through Projects e.g. IRLARDP
National Providing funds and guidance to government in support for SSPI
development. 4 Universal distributors Motorized & treadle Com. supplier
Pump & accessories sells
District Selling pump accessories i.e. water delivery hose and other spare parts
5 Land Resources Trust Motorized & treadles Com. supplier
Pump & accessories sells
Regional Selling pump accessories i.e. water delivery hose and other spare parts 6 Total Land Care (TLC) Treadles (group & individuals) Int. NGO Subsidized pump distribution & extension
National Subsidized pump distribution, installation, maintenance extension, free farm inputs
7 RIDP Treadle (group & individuals) EU Project Subsidized pump distribution & extension
National Subsidized pump distribution, installation, maintenance extension, free farm inputs 8 Concern Universal Treadle (group & individuals) Int. NGO Free pump distribution and extension
National Free pump distribution, installation, operation, maintenance, free farm inputs 9 Africare Treadle (groups) Int. NGO Free pump distribution & extension
District Free pumps, installation, operation and
maintenance, water & crop management 10 Self Help Africa Treadles (groups) Int. NGO Free pump distribution & extension
Districts Free pumps distribution, technical skills and farm inputs 11 CARD Treadles (groups) Local NGO Subsidized pumps distribution and extension
Regional Subsidized pumps distributing, installation, operation, maintenance, free farm inputs
12 IRLADP Motorized & treadle (group & individuals) World Bank Project Supporting operation, maintenance of irrigation structures & committees
National Supporting wells construction for SSPI. Formulation of farmers’ scheme committees’ e.g. WUAs. 13 Action Aid Malawi Treadle (group and individual) Int. NGO
Support farmers with pump related services
National Support farmers with pump related services e.g. farm inputs
14 Lilongwe University
N/A Acad. Training irrigation experts
National Research and training on irrigation
15 NRC N/A Acad. Training technicians National Training irrigation technicians and agriculture extension workers
16 Fellow pump users
All pumps Fellow farmers
Irrigated farm produce buyers & technical skills
Local Buying farmers irrigated products and pump sharing technical advises