MDP Capstone Report Spring 2012

Mid-Term Evaluation of: Irrigation Ponds in the High Valleys of

Omereque Bolivia

Project Background

Mano a Mano’s mission is to create partnerships with impoverished Bolivian

communities that improve health and increase economic well-being.

Omereque Bolivia

The goals of the project were to: • Increase community capacity to raise sufficient quantities and

varieties of foods to provide a healthy diet for its population. • Create community capacity to produce grain and livestock that

can be sold in larger city markets.

The “Household Irrigation Ponds in the High Valleys of Omereque” project was implemented by Mano a Mano Nuevo Mundo, in conjunction with the local government and the community of Omereque. Omereque is located southeast of the city of Cochabamba in the central valleys of Bolivia. This region of valleys is transected by the Mizque River and lies at the ecological and cultural crossroads between the Andes Mountains and the dry Chiquitano forests of southern Bolivia. The population is approximately 6,000, 70% of whom are living in moderate to abject poverty. The majority are employed in the agricultural sector.

Recognizing the significant need in this region, Omereque residents met with Mano a Mano to discuss the possibilities of agricultural support through improved access to irrigation. From 2008 to 2009, the partnership began to move forward in November, 2009, construction began on the irrigation ponds. By October 2010, all 145 irrigation ponds were finished.

“I wanted to eat vegetables. To have better nutrition, to work harder to have all of these things.”

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MDP Capstone Summary Spring 2012

Purpose of Mid-Term Evaluation The purpose of this mid-term evaluation is to provide preliminary information on the effect of the irrigation project on the economic and nutritional well-being of the residents of Omereque who have been able to utilize their Mano a Mano-constructed irrigation ponds. It also examines how Mano a Mano is perceived by project beneficiaries. This study leverages relevant background information to inform its analysis, discussion and recommendations.

Location of Irrigation Ponds in the Omereque Region

The Omereque Region

Research Questions: 1. How has the economic well-being of the residents of Omereque changed for those who now have access to irrigation from the Mano a Mano-constructed pond?

2. How has the diet of Omereque residents changed for those who now have access to irrigation from the Mano a Mano-constructed pond?

3. What are the beneficiaries’ views of Mano a Mano as an organization? Irrigation Pond in Omereque

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MDP Capstone Summary Spring 2012

Findings

• No significant changes in household income

were evident. Half of the interviewees saw income increases while the other half saw decreases. More time is needed to see the long-term impact of the project on income.

• Fruit and vegetable crop sales contributed

most to positive changes in income. Most

families were producing few, if any, fruit and vegetable crops prior to acquiring their irrigation ponds. It was expected therefore that income derived from the sale of fruits and vegetables would increase given that families were provided free fruit and vegetable seeds from a government entity.

• Income derived from the sale of cash crops

(i.e.: potatoes, wheat, corn, seeds) declined.

Some of this loss can be attributed to the unusually short rainy season. It is also likely that there was a substitution effect in household production that resulted following the provision of free fruit and vegetable seeds. As families shifted their labor and inputs toward vegetable production, they pulled back on the labor and inputs for cash crops.

“Before we only ate grains, dry foods, now we are eating

vegetables. This is better.” Economic:

Nutrition and Diet:

• Fruit and vegetable consumption increased while consumption of traditional staple foods remained

constant. Consumption of fruits and

vegetables increased by 23% while cereals/potatoes decreased by approximately 19%. It is likely that the increase in vegetable consumption is an increase in overall consumption, and that the actual amount of potatoes and grains consumed has stayed fairly constant. Participants are consuming more vegetables now than before the irrigation but the quantities consumed are not likely to be enough to impact overall nutritional well-being.

• Beneficiaries reported improved

food consumption and better health. All respondents reported that their family’s food consumption improved, while 16 of 17 reported that their family consumed more food.

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MDP Capstone Summary Spring 2012

Perceptions of Mano a Mano • The majority of interviewees responded positively

when describing their perceptions of Mano a Mano. Sixteen of seventeen stated that their hopes for the project had been satisfied. All 17 of the respondents said they would recommend Mano a Mano to another community.

Future Irrigation Projects:

“I would tell them, Brothers, go to Mano a Mano. This institution will help you. They will ask you to fulfill your duties and do your volunteer work, but they will fulfill their part. Its as if God had

sent Ivo and Segundo. We are just starting our progress, we're still working."

Recommendations

1. Mano a Mano should continue developing partnerships with local organizations and governments.

2. Mano a Mano and partnering organizations should provide technical and extension services for irrigation pond maintenance, nutrition education, and economic improvement. These workshops should incorporate capacity building.

3. Mano a Mano should conduct a market study analyzing current practices and potential opportunities.

4. In order to disseminate best practices, project beneficiaries and their successes should be showcased to other farmers.

Future Assessment and Evaluations:

1. Researchers should conduct a baseline study with additional questions on agricultural inputs, farming decisions, and anthropometric statistics.

2. Researchers should identify and explore potential confounding projects

3. The researcher team should work closely with Mano a Mano staff throughout the evaluation process.

4. It is best to use trained translators who are not directly affiliated with the project.

5. The researchers should seek to interview both male and female heads of the household when possible.

6. Mano a Mano should continue its practice of sharing research results with the community who provided interviews and data.

MDP Capstone Summary Spring 2012

Humphrey Masters of Development Practice Research Team:

Kaying Vang has worked in the Twin Cities as an AmeriCorps volunteer and has also worked in Guatemala as Peace Corps volunteer. Her areas of interest include program evaluation and the multi-prong strategies in international development.

Britta Hansen has worked in South America and West Africa in community development and agriculture extension. She is interested in the intersection of agriculture and nutrition in the global South.

Britt Cecconi Cruz has worked in Asia and Latin America in education and public health. Her interest is in shaping evidence-based government policy that supports sustainable physical, organizational and social national infrastructures.

Britt, Kaying and Britta at one of their interview sites in

Omereque.

Mano a Mano International Partners

774 Sibley Memorial Highway Mendota Heights, MN 55118 Phone: 651-457-3141 Email: manoamano@manoamano.org Mano a Mano . org

Humphrey School of Public Affairs University of Minnesota 225 Humphrey School 301 19th Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55455 http://www.hhh.umn.edu/index.php

For more information contact: