Modernisation of Public Irrigation Schemes in the Lower Medjerda Valley, Phase 2 Tranche 2 : Chouigui irrigation scheme: Component C: Accompanying measures

Detailed description of project:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources aims at modernizing the existing irrigation schemes in the Lower Medjerda Valley, which have been in operation for around 50 years. The aim of the project is to use the available water resources more efficiently, scale up agricultural development and transfer the operation and maintenance of water systems to water user organizations.

This project concerns the modernization of the Chouigui irrigation scheme, which was built in 1978, approximately 30 km west of Tunis. It receives its water from an inlet located just upstream from the Laaroussia reservoir and covers a total area from 1,704 ha.

The project includes the construction of a pumping and treatment facility (a fully automated pumping station and a water treatment plant for water withdrawn from the wadi Medjerda), the construction of two regulation reservoirs, the installation of a subsurface pressurized channel system (backbone and supply network) as well as the rehabilitation of drainage networks and access roads.

The water consumption is measured in real time at different locations in the network and specifically at the outlets supplying the farms. The water charges to be paid by the users is based on a dual pricing principle: a fixed amount set by the lot size and a variable amount depending on the volume of water consumed on the lot.

Operation and maintenance of the irrigation tertiary network and collection of water charges will be assigned to farmer organizations called Groupements de Développement Agricole (GDA).

Type of services provided:

  • Facilitation of the awareness raising and consultation process with users and GDA relating to the detailed design study;
  • In collaboration with the GDA, implementation of the collection system for the financial contribution of users to investments;
  • Development of a monitoring and evaluation system of the project, including a map database;
  • Assessment of the training needs of the Regional Office of Agricultural Development (CRDA) and the Office for Water Resources (DGRE) and the design and implementation of the corresponding training program;
  • Capacity building of the GDA, in administrative management and operation and maintenance of the network;
  • Final calculation of the cost of water services and discussion on tariff plans;
  • Development of, and discussion on, the "management delegation contract to GDA networks";
  • Raising awareness and training users with regard to irrigation equipment;
  • Monitoring of water saving equipment for irrigation;
  • Support to agricultural development and to the use of the available water resources for the schemes.
CRDA de Manouba
BMZ through KfW
06/2016 – 09/2023
Contract value:
658,047 €