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Terms of Reference For: Consultancy
Terms of Reference For: Consultancy
of Reference
for
Consultancy
to conduct
a detailed study for
the improvement of water supply to smallholder
farmers in Northern Sri Lanka
14 February 2018
1. INTRODUCTION
In 2016 and 2017, parts of Sri Lanka experienced a lack of rainfall, which developed into
what was believed to be the worst drought in 40 years. Across the country, 20 out of 25
districts were affected with significant impacts on economic activities, livelihoods and the
lives of communities. The Disaster Management Centre estimated that 1.8 million people
were affected by the drought. Affected households lost more than one‐third of their
expected income during the primary cultivation season. More than 300,000 households
were considered food insecure with many households having to limit their food intake. The
inability of farmers to cultivate lands also caused the availability of agricultural work to
decline and consequently in many drought‐affected communities, indebtedness is rising.
Due to the recurrent nature of droughts and floods, there is a growing appreciation of the
need for comprehensive efforts to develop stronger resilience to avoid the excessive and
repetitive damages. The ILO sees a potential for contributing to this process through
improved land and water resource management practices. In Sri Lanka it is believed that
community driven public works interventions, combined with improved farming practices,
introduction of alternative crops and establishing new value chains, it is possible to create
more climate resilient jobs in the rural areas that protect livelihoods and household income.
Since the end of the conflict, smallholder farmers have been resettled, many of which now
rely on farming activities located in both low and high lying lands. The existing reservoirs
(tanks) and irrigation infrastructure mainly supply water to farming activities in the low‐lying
lands where rice cultivation is the predominant crop. In addition, farmers also own small
plots of land in higher lying terrain mainly used for fruit and vegetable production. These
plots are more difficult to irrigate using gravity based schemes and require pump‐fed
solutions.
As a result of the conflict and resulting displacements of the population in the north, many
of the smaller irrigation schemes have not received the necessary maintenance and
rehabilitation to function at optimal levels. With appropriate restoration and improvement
works, these schemes may increase and/or improve the reliability of water supply. It is also
believed that such measures may increase resilience of local farmers to future droughts in
the region.
Finally, it is envisaged that the restoration works in itself may also create new job
opportunities, skills development and additional income. Through the use of employment‐
intensive work methods, the works can further increase job opportunities in beneficiary
communities.
ILO Project Context
Since 2011 the ILO has implemented the Local Empowerment through Economic
Development and Reconciliation project, LEED+ in Northern Province with the aim to
contribute to inclusive and equitable post conflict recovery and development. It represents
ILO’s contribution to reducing fragility in the post conflict setting of Sri Lanka by creating
decent work opportunities and supporting inclusive growth and reconciliation among
vulnerable communities. LEED+ provides a comprehensive package of support to
smallholder farmers including agriculture extension services, advice on appropriate crops,
securing access to markets and business development support to farmers cooperatives and
social enterprises.
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As part of the technical support, LEED has introduced more water conserving irrigation
methods as a response to the recent drought. This is a good first step in protecting rural
households through improved water management practices. However, in view of the severe
impact caused by the recent drought, there is a need for additional measures to strengthen
climate resilience among smallholder farmers in the North.
2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF STUDY
A preliminary assessment of good water resource management practices among smallholder
farmers was carried out in November 2017.1 This study identified a number of water
management practices appropriate for the agriculture sector in the north.
Objective
The objective of the current assignment is (i) to identify existing small‐scale surface irrigation
schemes and connected reservoirs, and (ii) to appraise their development potential thereby
improving water reliability to smallholder farmers in the north.
The findings of this assignment will provide the basis and guidance for drought mitigation
measures and climate resilience building activities as part of the current livelihoods
development support provided by the ILO through the LEED+ programme, the Jobs for Peace
and Resilience project and other related support activities.
Scope of the Study
The study will cover smallholder farmers working with the project and cooperatives in
districts of Vavuniya, Killinochci, Mullativue, Mannara and Anuradhpura.
3. KEY TASKS AND OUTPUTS
Key Tasks
The assignment will cover the following tasks:
On the basis of information obtained through interviews with the Irrigation Department,
agriculture department and other relevant departments, as well as field visits, establish
an overview of the existing community‐based irrigation schemes in the project area.
On the basis of desktop and field assessments, assess the current condition of existing
community based reservoirs and irrigation schemes and their development potential.
Carry out closer studies of irrigation schemes that play an important role for income
generation among households in the LEED+ project.
Carry out field surveys to verify key performance data on existing schemes and assess
their development potential, including items such as storage capacity in the reservoir,
dam and canal structures, main leakage points, capacity of canals, hydraulic design of
canals, inflows to the reservoir, capacity to capture water, etc.
Estimate the potential for and feasibility of increasing the water supply and/or improving
the performance (at current supply levels) in the inspected schemes.
1
Improving water security among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Province of Sri Lanka, Arend van
Riessen, ILO 2017
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Identify and review relevant rights/entitlements to water sources and/or regulations that
may potentially limit the development scope of existing schemes.
Select and prioritise schemes and improvement works on the basis of potential water
yields and preliminary estimated investment costs.
Prepare preliminary designs and cost estimates for proposed schemes based on rough
estimates of quantities of works.
Provide preliminary estimates of the expected benefits from improvement of selected
irrigation schemes, in terms of potential increase in beneficiaries, increased water supply,
regularity of water, resilience to climatic variations, acreage irrigated, etc.
Review current water and land uses and explore potential crops, methods and practices
that can make better use of water at the receiving end of the identified schemes.
Assess the capacity of communities to manage and operate the schemes in an equitable,
transparent and sustainable manner, and identify any particular constraints to such
intentions. Assess the quality of technical support and extension services provided by the
relevant irrigation authorities.
Review the existing mechanisms applied for the distribution of water to individual plots
and assess the need for capacity strengthening of water user bodies, such as Community
Committees, and by‐laws regulating its functions and authority.
Outline the existing/preferred model for how maintenance and repairs will be financed,
managed and implemented.
Process
Two consultants will carry out this assignment. A local consultant will do a desk review and
field visits in Northern Province, as described above, and commence the study by first
carrying out a series of rapid assessments of existing small‐scale community based irrigation
schemes with a significant development potential. On this basis, the local consultant will
join with an international consultant to assess in more detail the development potential of
selected schemes.
Field surveys are expected to initially require the inputs of an irrigation engineer for the
duration of two weeks, in order to carry out a rapid review all potential schemes. Further
field visits will be required thereafter for closer examination of the potential performance of
the selected schemes.
The LEED project office in Kilinochchi will facilitate meetings with relevant government
departments and development programmes, farmers’ organisations and individual farmers,
and facilitate field visits to existing (or former) irrigation schemes. The ILO will provide
transport and logistical support for the activities undertaken in the field.
The selection of the potential schemes will be carried out in close collaboration with the
LEED+ National Project Manager and in close consultation with the local irrigation
authorities and beneficiary communities. An itinerary for the field surveys will be developed
by the consultants during the first week of the assignment and agreed with the National
Project Manager.
Outputs
The main output of this assignment, will be a final report documenting the appraisal of
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selected community‐based irrigation schemes with clear recommendations on which
schemes have a good improvement/rehabilitation potential.
Preliminary findings on the selection and prioritisation of schemes for improvement will be
presented to the ILO at an appropriate time at the earlier stages of preparing the final report
with its recommendations.
A draft report will be submitted to the ILO for comments and observations before submitting
the final report.
The assignment is expected to take 30 days from the beginning of April to end of May.
The assignment will be carried out under the overall supervision of the ILO Country Office in
Colombo, under the technical guidance of the LEED Project Manager and in close
consultation with local irrigation authorities.
There will be two consultants: one national consultant and one international consultant.