Description

In September 1995, a loan amounting to $32 million was approved to finance the Small-Scale Water Resources Development Sector Project, whose expected outcome was a sustainable increase in agricultural production and income for smallholder farms in the subproject areas. These areas are located in western Bangladesh (where the standard of living was much lower than that in the eastern half).

This outcome was to be achieved through the Project's three components:

• Part A: Beneficiary Participation and Water Management Association Development,

• Part B: Development of Small-Scale Water Control Systems, and

• Part C: Institutional Support for Small-Scale Water Resources Development.

An advisory technical assistance for Beneficiary Participation and Project Management provided by the Government of Netherlands was administered by ADB. The TA was expected to help the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the Executing Agency, implement the Project with beneficiary participation in the subprojects and to build the capacity of LGED staff and water management cooperative associations. In addition to the Government of Netherlands, the International Fund for Agricultural Development cofinanced the Project.

Summary of Findings

The Project was rated successful. It was highly relevant at the time of appraisal and evaluation to the Government's and ADB's objectives and strategies, effective in achieving its objective of increasing agricultural production in the subproject areas, and efficient in terms of resource utilization.

The subproject site visits suggested that the Project is "likely to be sustainable." The water management cooperative associations are generally sustainable, taking into consideration the (i) transparent and tangible benefits of the subprojects, which are appreciated by the beneficiaries; (ii) usefulness of these associations for the beneficiaries; (iii) generally positive response of beneficiaries to the subprojects; (iv) commitment of the LGED management and water management cooperative associations leaders; (v) institutional arrangements of LGED for the management and maintenance of subprojects of this type; and (vi) water management cooperative associations' survival for the past 5 years.

An important result of the Project was the institutionalization of beneficiary participation in small-scale water projects.

The TA was successful, as it was able to assist LGED in completing 273 subprojects, 267 of which have been turned over to their respective water management cooperative associations. More importantly, the TA developed a process for beneficiary participation, which LGED has adopted as an integral part of the subproject cycle.

At this point, sustainability is the key issue facing the subprojects. Long-term sustainability is contingent on a number of factors, including (i) a more sustainable arrangement for training, and operation and maintenance purposes, such as a revolving fund; (ii) long-term monitoring by LGED to ensure that infrastructure is being properly maintained and that beneficiaries have the skills required to maintain it; (iii) long-term government support for the rehabilitation of subprojects after abnormal damage due to flooding, etc.; (iv) long-term support from associated agencies and departments responsible for providing technical services and support; and (v) greater participation of beneficiaries in the funding of local, small-scale infrastructure maintenance.

Lessons Identified

• In general, the best water management cooperative associations have the following characteristics: (a) subprojects have direct and tangible benefits, (b) good and strong leadership, supported by (c) proactive LGED and project staff.

• Lack of training in handed-over subprojects may undermine sustainability.

• Water management cooperative associations are capable of organizing and implementing routine operation and maintenance, but they need the assistance of LGED for major maintenance works.

• A large number of training activities makes smooth delivery of training challenging. A good monitoring system has to be in place to ensure timely delivery of relevant training. Involvement of partner agencies such as the Department of Cooperatives may need to be maximized.

• Successful project implementation requires good relationships and constructive interaction with local government, Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Land, Department of Cooperatives, and other agencies.

• Procedures for land acquisition should be clear. Experience shows that the provision of land as a demonstration of public support for a subproject is not an effective argument for encouraging private individuals to allow the use of their lands for public purposes.

• LGED's current subproject operating performance grading system focuses on the revenue-generating capability of a water management cooperative association, including the ability to generate and use funds for operation and maintenance purposes. The present system does not seem to reflect a relatively accurate picture of the real condition of the subproject facilities and should not be treated as an overall assessment of the status of the water management cooperative associations. LGED has now commissioned an operation and maintenance study that will look into the system presently used to rate the operation and maintenance status of subprojects, among others.

• In addition, project experience shows that beneficiary participation is a viable approach to planning, implementation, operation and maintenance, and overall management of small-scale water subprojects under the following conditions: (i) subprojects are small; (ii) benefits are tangible and transparent; (iii) the subproject is conceived and initiated by the beneficiaries; (iv) beneficiaries are involved in all stages of the project cycle; (v) LGED field staff are willing to support the water management cooperative associations and are proactive; and (vi) LGED top management is supportive of its field staff.

Contents

• Contents
• Basic Data
• Executive Summary
• Map
• Introduction
• Design and Implementation
• Performance Assessment
• Other Assessments
• Issues, Lessons, and Follow-up Actions
• Appendixes