Period
2013 - 2018
In the ElGuettar oasis of Tunisia, water distribution challenges prompted the Agricultural Development Group (GDA "Attalooq") and the "El Mobadara" association to adopt computer technology for irrigation management. Faced with the depletion of natural springs and the mistrust of farmers due to a rotational water supply system, the GDA sought transparency and efficiency. The introduction of computer software revolutionized water distribution. Through an irrigation calendar and precise monitoring, farmers gained equitable access to water, while network functionality records and financial transactions were streamlined. This transition to digital management not only saved time but also rebuilt trust through accurate data management. The impact was significant, with water-related conflicts decreasing and GDA membership doubling to 1200 by 2018. The software's reliability fostered increased participation and organized water turns. Oasis women gained easier access to irrigation, and GDA revenue management improved. Additionally, the software reduced economic and ecological costs associated with paper use and ensured transparency in GDA accounts, rebuilding trust among members. This transformative journey from manual to digital water distribution demonstrates the potential of technology to promote trust, efficiency, and sustainability in community water governance.
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Identification needs
Due to the drying up of natural springs, the water distribution has been carried out by a rotational water supply system for all oasis dwellers. Each farmer therefore has the right to a limited quantity of water for a given number of days. The distribution of irrigation water from boreholes installed by the State in this oasis is managed by the Agricultural Development Group (GDA “Attalooq”). All farmers are obliged to go through this GDA. During the oasis development plan initiated in 1981, the area increased from 187 ha to 530 ha being cultivated by 600 farmers. This situation has created problems in the distribution of irrigation water among farmers. The lack of control of the pumping and distribution flow as well as the difficulties in the maintenance of equipment have made water management more complex for the GDA. The lack of transparency in the management and distribution of water weighed on the mutual trust between GDA and farmers to ultimately create a conflict situation. Thus, the GDA in collaboration with “El Mobadara” association decided to use computers to improve the quality of irrigation water distribution services and to consolidate the relationship of trust between the GDA and the farmers.
Stakeholder change
At each turn of water, the farmer goes to the GDA to pay for his/her water. In order to ensure consistent water distribution and to have visibility of distribution activities, the GDA uses an irrigation calendar which lets you know how many hours of irrigation each farmer will have. The software also makes it possible to record the functioning of the network and thus indicate the number of valves out of service and to record the action of each farmer on a daily basis. The software also has a digital notebook that allows recording of accounting and access to previous years and days in an automated way. The program quickly gives a detailed report of the activity of the GDA with enormous time savings. This recourse reinforces the confidence of the GDA which relies on the database rather than on an erroneous easily falsifiable handwritten transcription.
Change triggered
The compilation of irrigation data in a single file has enabled rapid action and more precise monitoring of the consumption of each farmer (losses below 10%). The number of farmers joining the GDAs increased from 600 in 2015 to 1200 in 2018 due to the greater reliability of the software. It is also noted that water-related conflicts have significantly decreased. The use of the digital program for the distribution of irrigation water between farmers belonging to the GDA Attalooq has enabled: 1) organization and management of water turns 2) easier access to irrigation water for oasis women 3) improving the management of GDA revenues (increase, use and accounting): simplified and more reliable recourse 4) significant reduction of economic and ecological costs related to the use of paper (files, cards, large format receipts…) thanks to digital documentation 5) the speed of maintenance of the supply network and the distribution of irrigation water 6) transparency in the accounts of the GDA thus restoring confidence to the members.
Short description
This approach tends to improve the management of irrigation water distribution in ElGuettar oasis thanks to the creation of computer software adapted to the needs of farmers and managers. All this action, from the design to the use of the software, called to many players. At the request of GDA Attalooq, the El Moubadara association was responsible for coordinating the operation as well as providing, thanks to funding from Mercy Corps, the budget necessary for the design of the program. Then, the design and execution were entrusted to the “Business Information System” design office. Once the execution was launched, the program was entrusted to the GDA Attalooq which still uses it today during the distribution of irrigation water and to compile all project data (distribution of irrigation water, accounting…). The language program was created in WINDEV. The software was tested in 2015. This test showed a visible improvement as soon as it was implemented. Automation has made it easier for members to go to the GDA office to update files. In early 2016, the GDA officially used the program for the distribution of irrigation water to GDA members.
