Hydropower development and livelihoods: A quest for a balanced approach through research and partnerships

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Hydropower development and livelihoods: A quest for a

balanced approach through research and partnerships

Sonali Senaratna Sellamuttu, Olivier Joffre, Nguyen Duy Phuong, Jharendu Pant, Bounthanom Bouaham and Anousith Keophoxay

Fifth International Conference on Water Resources and Hydropower Development in Asia, Colombo, Sri Lanka

11-13 March 2014

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A water-secure world

Background

• The Mekong River Basin faces massive development investment with regard to hydropower.

• Little attention given to how dams can be constructed and operated in ways that optimize benefits for all water users, including riparian communities.

• Involuntary displacements mean local people are often unable to engage in their original livelihood activities.

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Research Objective

• Identify and pilot test innovative livelihood options that use the new environmental conditions created as a result of the hydropower development.

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Sites CPWF Mekong Project are focusing on

• Theun Hinboun Expansion Project (THXP), Lao PDR

• Yali, Vietnam

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Participatory impact pathways and partnerships

• Participatory impact pathways – links research activities to outputs, and these to outcomes (behavioural changes in targeted key actors - their knowledge, attitude, skills).

• Develop partnerships with key actors from the onset of the project (e.g., dam operators, local authorities).

• Expected to maximize impact by designing an uptake strategy at onset of the project

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Broad scale and household livelihood surveys

• Yali, Vietnam: Survey of 250 HHs (male/female respondents) in 4 communes (Sa Binh, Yali, Ya Xier and Ya Tang). Included Kinh and ethnic minorities - Jarai.

• THXP, Lao PDR: Survey of 100 HHs (male/female respondents) in the Downstream Relocation Site (Phoumakneng)

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Vietnam

• Drawdown area of Yali reservoir is used by farmer to grow cassava, but:– risk of flooding is high

at the end of the crop– duration on land

exposure is too short to achieve maximum yield with the commonly used variety (KM 94)

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Vietnam livelihood pilot – Key outcomes

• Introduction of a new short term variety (KM98-7)

– 2012: 3 farmers – 1.5 ha – 1 commune (Sa Binh)

– 2013: 36 farmers – 20 ha – 2 communes (Sa Binh and Yali)

• Increase yield and starch content

– 32 tons/ha vs 21 tons/ha– 26% starch vs 21% starch– Increased net benefit over $350 USD/ha

to $850 USD/ha

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Up-scale livelihood pilot results

• Due to success of pilot demand for new variety has increased.

• Training courses and field visits were organized in 2012-2013 for over 500 farmer HHs (both men and women) in the 4 communes (both Kinh and Jarai ethnic groups).

• DARD plans to expand the cultivated area of KM 98-7 to about 400 ha - 500 ha by 2016-2017.

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Vietnam livelihood pilot – Lessons learned

• Drivers of success– Development of

communication channels with the hydropower company – Water level calendar

– Involvement of local extension services (DARD)

– Development of seedling replication system - including informal farmer groups

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Lao PDR

• Context– Development of Irrigation in

resettlement site for dry season rice, flooded in rainy season

– Depletion of fisheries resources caused by hydropower development

• Pilots- Rice fish Culture– Use the access to water for

integrated rice-fish culture– Expend the productivity of

flooded rice fields during the rainy season

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Feasibility of rice-fish Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture (IAA)

• Technical feasibility• Social feasibility• Financial feasibility

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Methods: Focus group discussions and interviews.Using participatory methods & tools

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Implementing rice-fish IAA pilot

• Implemented over a 6 month period with 15 farmer households (men and women) who volunteered.

Date Activity 25 Oct – 20 Nov

Excavation of refuge pond

25 – 30 Nov Fertilization of pond29 Nov – 5 Dec Paddy transplant14-18 Dec Stocking fingerlings15-18 Jan Refuge pond connected to paddy field18-25 March Paddy and fish harvested.

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Lao livelihood pilot – key outcomes

• 15 households tested the pilot– Increase productivity of rice fields

: fish yield : 317 kg/ha – Improve protein supply for

households– Reduce time spent fishing– Synergy with other livelihood

activity: Homestead aquaculture pond

• Adoption of the technology by most of the farmers and development of more aquaculture

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Lao livelihood pilot – Lessons learned

• Diversification of livelihood options with Integrated rice-fish

• Support of THPC – funding the pilots and supported the feasibility study. Cooperation between NAFRI, THPC and CPWF.

• The potential for scaling out to other villages and irrigated areas supported by THPC is great.

• But sustainability without supported/with limited support from THPC is questionable.

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Conclusions

• Modified environment may provide new opportunities – e.g., drawdown area, irrigation, integration of aquaculture.

• In case of newly introduced technology, communities will require more than a one year trial to continue and adopt the technology.

• While some technology may be easily transferable, others may require more monitoring and training from extension services and other groups.

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Conclusions

• Capacity building of local staff took place as a result of the livelihood pilots.

• A combination of strong partnerships from the onset with the private sector or government authorities and credible research results can gain support for livelihood-enhancement activities in relation to sustainable hydropower development.

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Thank You