Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project
The objective of the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project (LUSIP) is to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living of the population in the Lower Usuthu Basin in central Swaziland through effective, efficient and equitable water management. The area is one of the poorest in the country with an average per capita income of €130 pa compared to a country average of €317 pa. The major constraint for the development of the resource for poor farmers in the area is a lack of access to water for irrigation purpose, particularly during the dry season as run-off from river flows have already been fully allocated to existing irrigators. Without effective and equitable water management this region will remain undeveloped and impoverished.
LUSIP aims to change this by initiating an extensive engineering and socio-economic project. The project provides the opportunity to make a long lasting change to the region, with over US$ 120 million invested by a range of international donors. Harewelle International is providing support through the PMU and is responsible for overseeing the management and implementation of all the projects and for all consultant inputs. Activities being managed and supervised include engineering design and construction, environmental mitigation, agricultural development, public health and resettlement.
Water infrastructure development is a significant aspect of LUSIP and includes the creation of irrigation resources through the construction of off-river reservoirs, dams, weirs and canals that will provide irrigation water for over 11,500 ha on completion of the programme in 2015. The direct beneficiaries of the project will be the 2,600 farm households (15,300 persons) on the project, whose income is predicted to increase fivefold and who will also have improved access to water and health facilities. (2004 - 2011)
