Tanzania - River Basin Management and Smallholder Irrigation Improvement Project : environmental assessment (Vol. 8 of 11) : Smallholder irrigation improvement component-Nyamahana irrigation scheme

E968 Volume 8 UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD-SECURITY RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT AND SMALLHOLDER IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (RBMSIIP) SMALLHOLDER IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENT COMPONENT NYAMAHANA IRRIGATION SCHEME ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT DRAFT REPORT November 2003 Environmental Resources Consultancy Consulting environmental conservation, natural resources management and capacity building FIllE COPY  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The team wishes to acknowledge with thanks the contributions of various staff members of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security's Directorate of Irrigation and Technical Services, during the different stages of the preparation of this report: the Project Coordinator of Smaliholder Irrigation Improvement Project, Mr. Masija, the Head of Environmental UnitCell, Mr. Simukanga, and other staff. The team also extends its appreciation to the District Officers, in particularly the irrigation technicians who are in charge of the eight schemes, at Arumeru, Moshi Rural, Simanjiro, Korogwe, Iringa Rural and Mbarali Districts. Thanks also goto the scheme management committees, farmers and other stakeholders ofthe eight schemes and the community members who actively participated in the discussions and helped to provide information that was very useful during the preparation of the Environmental Audit. The team appreciates to more than 50 people who participated in data collection and analysis, especially the facilitators, research assistants, enumerators, water and soil staff, data analysts, etc. Last but not least, our appreciations go to ERC's internal staffs who directly or indirectly contributed with enthusiasm to the EA reports.  Table of contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..........................................I TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................... II LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...........................................V LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES, MAPS, AND DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELSVI EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................... VII 1. BACKGROUND ...........................................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION .........................................I 1.2 UNDERSTANDING OF THE STUDY ........................................1..I 1.2.1 Objective of the Study ........ ................................1 1.3 STRATEGIC APPROACH .........................................2 1.3.1 Ecosystem 4Approach ........ ................................2 1.3.2 Farming System Approach .......... ..............................2 1.3.3 Participatory Approach ......... ........................... 1.4 METHODOLOGY .........................................4 1.4.1 Consultation .........................................4 1.4.2 Analytical Tools ........................................4 1.5 LIMITATIONS .........................................5 2. BASELINE OF THE IRRIGATION SCHEME ...................................... . 6 2.1 THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ....................................... . 6 2.1.1 Location ....6................................6 2.1.2 History of the scheme ....................................9 2.2 THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ............................... . . 9 2.2.1 Climate ....................................9 2.2.2 Water Resources ...................................9 2.2.3 Soil .................................... 0 2.2.4 Biodiversity ................................... 12 2.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT . . ......................... 12 2.3.1 Population .12 2.3.2 Occupation/land use ................................. 12 2.3.3 Agriculture practices ................................. 12 2.3.4 Markets and Marketing Information ................................. 13 2.3.5 EDUCATION ...13.......................................................................... 13 2.3.6 Energy Supply .13 2.3.7 Extension Services .14 3. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND STAKEHOLDERS .15 3.1 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE USANGU WETLAND AND ITS CATCHMENT ..15 3.2 WATER USERS ASSOCIATION .15 3.3 STAKEHOLDER'S ROLE . 5 3.3.1 Identified stakeholders .15 3.3.2 Analysis of stakeholders. 15 * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ii  3.3.3 Involvement ofstakeholders in environmental audit and implementation of ESMP ............................................................ 16 3.3.4 Ensuring incorporation of concern ofstakeholders in ESMP ....... ..... 16 4. COMPLIANCE WITH TANZANIA'S POLICIES, LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND WITH WORLD BANK'S SAFE GUARD POLICIES ....... 17 4.1 NATIONAL POLICIES ............................................................ 17 4.1.1 National Environment Policy of 1997 .17 4.1.2 Agriculture Policy 1997 .1 7 4.1.3 Land Policy of 1995 .17 4.1.4 Water Policy of 2002 .18 4.1.5 Forest Policy of 1998 .18 4.1.6 Wildlife Policy of 1998 .18 4.1.7 Energy Policy of 2002 (Draft) .18 4.2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK . .18 4.2.1 Environment Legislation .19 4.2.2 NEMC Act no. 19 of 1983 .1 9 4.2.3 Land Act no.4 and Village Land Act no. 5 of 1999 .19 4.2.4 Wildlife Act 1974 (with amendments of 1978) .19 4.2.5 Water Acts of 1974 .20 4.2.6 Forest Act 1974 .20 4.2.7 The Town and Country Planning Ordinance, Cap 378 of 1956 . 20 4.2.8 Local Government Act (District and Urban Authorities) Acts of 198220 4.2.9 Land Use Planning Commission Act of 1984 .20 4.2.10 The Land Acquisitions Act of 1967. 21 4.2.11 By-Laws .21 4.3 NATIONAL STRATEGIES . . 21 4.3.1 Government Development Vision 2025. 21 4.3.2 Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of 2000 .21 4.3.3 Rural Sector Development Strategy (RDS) of 2000 .22 4.3.4 Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS) of 2001 .22 4.3.5 Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS) of 2001 .22 4.4 COMPLIANCE WITH WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES ... 23 5. TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES USED IN ASSESSING AND ANALYZING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ....................................................... 25 5.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 25 5.2 IMPACT ASSESSMENT .............................................................. 25 6. CONSULTATIONS WITH COMMUNITY AND FARMERS .. 26 6.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 26 6.2 MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY STAKEHOLDERS .............................................................. 26 7. IDENTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS .. 28 7.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 28 7.2 UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM IMPACTS ......................................... 29 7.2.1 Demographic trend (population changes) . ............................ 29 7.2.2 Hydrological changes ..29 7.2.3 Catchment degradation . .29 7.2.4 Changed water quality on downstream users . .30 , ~~~~~~~~~iii  7.2.5 Socio economic impacts on downstream users .................................... 32 7.3 IRRIGATION SCHEME LEVEL IMPACTS ............................................ 32 7.3.1 Soil quality ............................................ 32 8. IDENTIFICATION OF MITIGATION MEASURES . ..................................... 36 8.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................ 36 8.2 UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM ............................................ 36 8.2.1 Environmental Management ............................................ 36 8.3 IRRIGATION SCHEME LEVEL ........................................ 36 8.3.1 Environmental management .36 8.3.2 Enhancement of social economic activities. 3 7 8.3.3 Improving health conditions .37 8.3.4 Improving water quality. 3 7 8.3.5 Revisiting engineering designs and construction .38 9. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) .39 9.1 INTRODUCTION .39 9.2 OBJECTIVES .39 9.3 SUMMARY OF MAJOR ENIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND IDENTIFIED MITIGATION MEASURES . .40 9.4 DESCRIPTION OF ELEMENTS OF MONITORING PROGRAM . 41 9.5 INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY .47 9.6 INPUTS REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTED OUTPUTS .47 9.7 IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR MITIGATION MEASURES .48 10. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .51 10.1 CONCLUSION ........................ 51 10.1.1 General concluision ........................ 51 10.1.2 Specific conclusions ........................ 51 10.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ........................ 52 REFERENCES ........................ 54 iv  List of Abbreviations ALP Agricultural and Livestock Policy ASDS Agricultural Sector Development Strategy DALDO District Agricultural and Livestock Development Officer DED District Executive Director DED District Executive Director EA Environmental Audit ECU Environmental Cell Unit EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan GIS Geographical Information System GoT Govemment of Tanzania IEE Initial Environmental Examination LDC Less Developed Country MAFS Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security MWL Ministry of Water and Livestock Development NEMC National Environment Management Council NIDP National Irrigation Development Plan NLUC National Land Use Commission NMA National Meteorological Agency PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper RBMSIIP River Basin Management and Smallholder Irrigation Improvement Project RDS Rural Sector Development Strategy SEA Scheme Environmental Assessment SIIC Smallholder Irrigation Improvement Component) SMUWC Sustainable Management of the Usangu Wetland and its Catchment SPSS Statistical Package for Social Science TMA Tanzania Meteorological Agency UCLAS University College of Lands and Architectural Studies VEO Village Executive Officers WEO Ward Executive Officers WMA Wildlife Management Areas Zio Zonal Irrigation Office v  List of Tables, Figures, Maps, and Digital Elevation Models Tables Table 2.1 Rainfall data Table 2.2 nearby rivers and numbers of people depend on Table 2.3 Distance to Domestic water Table 2.4 Soil data Table 2.5 Population Distribution Table 2.6 Farm size ranges per household Table 2.7 Fertilizer use Table 2.8 Livestock available in the area Table 2.9 Below shows the percentage of people and time spend in firewood collection in village Table 2.10 Extension worker visits per season Table 7.1 Summary of key environmental and social/impacts Table 7.2 Population data in Nyamahana village Table 7.3 Population data for Nyimihuu village Table 7.4 Population data for Malizanga village Table 7.5 Water Quality Analysis Table 7.6 Results of soil analysis Table 7.7 Water analysis at scheme level Table 7.8 Summary of common diseases in the scheme area Table 9.1 Environmental and social impacts mitigation measures Table 9.2 Monitoring Plan Table 9.3 The Environmental and Social Management Plan Table 9.4 Implementation plan time schedule Figures Figure I.: Basic approach to the study Maps Map 2.1: Nyamahana irrigation scheme: Location map Map 7.1 Nyamahana land use/vegetation Map 7.2 Soil samples location Digital Elevation Models DEM 2.1: Digital elevation model 2D DEM 2.2: Digital elevation model 3D vi  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Government of Tanzania (GoT) through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has taken various initiatives to improve agricultural sector in the country. One of these initiatives is undertaking the River Basin Management and Smallholder Irrigation Improvement Project (RBMSIIP); in context with which, is the Smallholder Irrigation Improvement Component (SIIC). Among others, the need to undertake the RBMSIIP arose out of a nation-wide realisation that the ecosystems of country's river basins (especially those of the Rufiji and the Pangani Rivers) are not being properly managed, leading to extensive environmental degradation and loss of potentialities of these vital ecosystems. Moreover, i t was a Iso realised that in v iew o f the above-mentioned loss o f potentiality, smallholder traditional irrigation schemes are the worst affected; hence the need arose to undertake also the SIIC. Support to smallholder traditional irrigation improvement and rehabilitation i s, therefore, one o f the major components of this RBMSIIP programme. The SIIC component focuses on improving management of water resources and crop husbandry practices in existing smallholder irrigation schemes. This can be achieved, among others, through improvement of natural resources, land and water, during implementation of the rehabilitation and upgrading of irrigation schemes.) SIIC is geared at improvement of water management in smallholder irrigation schemes to ensure sustainable use of land and water resources and ultimately yield increase with minimal environmental degradation. Under the auspices of the SIIC both the Scheme Environmental Assessment (SEA) as well as an Environmental Audit (EA) were carried out for the Nyamahana Irrigation Scheme. Among others, both the assessment and the audit were based on the Initial Environmental Assessments (IEE) studies carried out by the Environmental Cell Unit (ECU) of the Irrigation Section of the MAFS. This report presents the findings of the study. The objective of the study was to identifying changes that have taken place before/after scheme improvement, assessing and quantifying thereto environmental and social impacts, also duly preparing an environmental and social management plan as well as developing an environmental and social management and monitoring system. According to the ToR the expected outputs of this study are two in one interrelated reports i.e. covering both Environmental Audit (EA) as well as Scheme Environmental Assessment (SEA), analysing e.g. socio-economic, socio-cultural and engineering factors in order to provide quantitative information. Furthermore, the report incorporates an assessment of compliance of the scheme's improvement to the Tanzanian policy and legislation framework, as well as the World Bank's relevant environmental safe guard policies (especially on OP 4.01). Different methodologies were employed to carry out the task, including the following: * Desk review of recommended documents * Questionnaire administration to key stakeholders * Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) At different stages of the study the following approaches and analytical tools were applied * Participatory data collection * Key informant interview * Trend analysis * Geographical information system Describing the location of the scheme north-west the study found that the Nyamahana irrigation scheme I ies up-stream oft he U sangu plains about 4 5km n orth-west of Iringa m unicipality .It i s located at a village of Nyamahana along the Iringa to Idodi road. Its coordinates are latitude 070 4 11 South and longitude 35025' East, and are at an altitude of aboutOOm above mean sea level. It comprises the following villages: Nyamahana, Mloa, Malizanga, and Lugango Villages around Nyamahana irrigation scheme have a total population of 2828 people. The main ethnic groups in the scheme area are Wahehe, Wanyakyusa, Wasangu, Wawanji, Wabena and other smaller *Vii  groups. The majority of these are agriculturalists. Few are livestock keepers. A few Wamasai and Wasukuma have migrated into the area and are engaged in both farming and livestock keeping. The land use in the adjacent villages of Nyamahana is mainly irrigation as well as rain-fed cultivation and grazing. The source of irrigation water for the Nyamahana scheme is the Mloa River, which unfortunately is not gauged. Water abstractions by upstream users for domestic purposes, irrigation and livestock are likely to impact on the quality and quantity of water available to the scheme. Poor farming practices, especially cultivation of crops close to the riverbanks, is increasing silt load in the river and causing siltation of the irrigation structures. The availability of good domestic water supply, coupled with good sanitation at Nyamahana will considerably reduce downstream water pollution from domestic uses. Drained water from the scheme area is likely to be contaminated from activities carried out in the scheme area, including application of agro-chemicals, and sharing irrigation water with livestock. The on-farm activities will thus form the main source of pollution downstream. Conflicts over water use have been recorded in the study area, especially in the dry season when river flows are at the lowest. In the past say 10 years, fuel wood was obtained in the nearby forests. Deforestation for firewood, opening of new farms and uncontrolled wild fires have led a much decrease in forest areas. With the improvement of irrigation structures in place, and prospects for higher income earnings from irrigated agriculture within reach, there is greater loyalty to the leadership of Water Associations. The following are some of the positive effects: * The project has brought about improvement in water availability distribution and management. * Crop production has improved a great deal * Strengthening the existing Water Users Association. * Temporary employment opportunities were created during the construction phase. * Some farmers have attended on farm training and exchange visits to other areas to share experience with other farmers as well as learning new skills. A summary of identified impacts differentiated at up-stream, down-stream and within scheme levels for resulting from C hapter 7 and appropriate mitigation measures are summarized in the E nvironmental and Social Management Plan as follows: viii  ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS MITIGATION MEASURES Up-stream impacts: Category :Environmental Management: - Demographic trends (population changes) * Embarking on soil and water - Hydrological changes conservation and environmental - Catchment degradation protection program in up-stream areas. * Embarking on afforestation and or reforestation program, * Strengthening enforcement of abstraction regulations * Watershed management Category: Enhancement of social- economic activities: * Promoting environmental consciousness in all social -economic activities, * Strengthening mechanisms for controlled acquisition and of landuse- related social-economic practices, Downstream impacts: Category: Environmental Management: - Water quality Establishment of mechanism for resolution - Increased incidences of waterborne diseases of conflicts. Category: Enhancement of social- economic activities: * Preparing and implementing a participatory land use plan ( PLUM) Category: Improving health situation * Promoting awareness on waterborne diseases, as well as HIV/AIDS, * Improving availability of health, water and sanitation services. Irrigation scheme level impacts Category: Environmental Management - Ineffective water management - Poor soil and water quality * Establishment and/or strengthening of - Increased incidences of waterborne diseases Scheme based) effective water management system. * Integrated soil fertility management and IPM * Improving water quality . Establishing and/or strengthening based mechanism for resolution of conflicts in use of both water and land resource. * Training of farmers and village extension officers on good agronomic practices. \ , ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ix  * Training of farmers in operation and maintenance of the irrigation system * Conduct environmental awareness campaigns and education to all soil and water users Category: Enhancement of social- economic activities: * Provide marketing information and transport service Category: Improving health situation Health and sanitation campaigns Category :Revisiting engineering designs and/or construction stages Examine viability of extending area for irrigation The monitoring program comprises the following attributes: water quality, groundwater, soil conservation, biodiversity, crop diseases, afforestation, socio-economic and health indicators. Additionally, the study main conclusions and recommendations are: In conclusion, it was found that, the location of the scheme is a constraint on sustainability of the scheme because it is relatively remote from major trading areas. This is because the scheme is located relatively far away from the Municipality of Iringa (the nearest major trading area). . One of the main recommendations is that arrangements should be made to share experience and information from other partners in the area e.g. MEMA, SUA research project in Usangu plains, IFAD, etc. The Iringa District could collaborate with these stakeholders in implementation of environmental and social management plan, which are relevant to Nyamahana irrigation scheme and others in Rufiji River Basin. x  1. BACKGROUND 1.1 INTRODUCTION The Government of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( MAFS), has undertaken various initiatives to improve the agriculture sector in the country. One of these initiatives is the River Basin Management and Smaliholder Irrigation Improvement Project (RBMSIIP). The Smallholder Irrigation Improvement Component (SIIC) is included within the scope of RBMSIIP. RBMSIIP was developed in response to a water shortage crisis prevalent in many parts of the country. Water demands often exceed available resources; this is especially true in the Pangani and Rufiji basins. Support to smallholder traditional irrigation improvement and rehabilitation is one of the major components of this project. SIIC focuses on improving the management of water resources and crop husbandry practices in existing smallholder irrigation schemes. This is achieved through, among other things, the improvement of natural resources (land and water) during implementation of the rehabilitation and upgrading of irrigation schemes. The S1IC undertaking supports the objectives of the National Irrigation Development Plan (NIDP) which was formulated and adopted in 1994. The plan includes a management and decision-making framework that is based on the comprehensive ranking of schemes within each management unit (river or drainage basin). Under NIDP the order of priority for irrigation development is as follows: * Improvement/rehabilitation of Traditional Smallholder Irrigation Schemes; * Water Harvesting Technology; * Opening of New Smallholder Schemes; * Large Scale Irrigation Schemes for Private Sector. SIIC focuses on the improvement of water management in smaliholder irrigation schemes to ensure the sustainable use of land and water resources. Ultimately, SIIC aims to facilitate increases in crop yields while minimizing environmental degradation. According to World Bank guidelines, the irrigation schemes in the Rufiji and Pangani basins are classified as Category B. Under this category, no major adverse environmental impacts are permitted and mitigation measures must be incorporated into the scheme design, implementation and operation. Under the auspices of the SIIC, a feasibility study was carried out that resulted in the preparation of the Project Implementation Plan for 1996/97 - 2001/02. This plan, produced in October 1996, contains an assessment of environmental issues together with proposed environmental mitigation measures. Under World Bank advisement, the Environmental Cell Unit (ECU) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security conducted an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of the irrigation schemes. The IEEs were u sed as the basis for t he Scheme Improvement A ssessment Studies. T he c onsultants, i n collaboration with ECU, have been charged to conduct environmental audits in seven Category B sites: Ruanda Majenje, Igomelo, Mangalali, Nyamahana, Soko, Kambi ya Tanga, and Nyamahana. An additional site, Lemkuna, only required the development of an Environmental and Social Management Plan. This report is focused on presenting the findings of the environmental audit that was conducted for the Nyamahana Irrigation Scheme. This report draws heavily on intensive field observations by the study team. Discussions were held with farmers and other local people, village and district officials, and project staff. A review of various existing documents was also conducted in the preparation of this report. 1.2 UNDERSTANDING OF THE STUDY 1.2.1 Objective of the Study The objective of the study is to get a better understanding of the present environmental conditions and relevant i mpact areas (environmental audit) within the scheme. Increased awareness will allow for I  improved monitoring of both negative and positive changes over time and will assist in the formulation of more effective mitigation measures. The environmental audit will also be the basis for the preparation of an environmental and social management plan and monitoring system. Specifically, the study will undertake the following: * Assess and quantify baseline environmental and social conditions * Assess and quantify environmental and social impacts * Conduct environmental audits in order to comply with existing Government of Tanzania and World Bank environmental and safeguard policies * Prepare an environmental and social management plan * Develop an environmental and social management and monitoring system * Conduct public consultations 1.3 STRATEGIC APPROACH The consultant's environmental audit of the Nyamahana irrigation scheme was characterized by three approaches: ecosystem, farming system and participatory. The basic approach of the study is illustrated in Figure 1. 1.3.1 Ecosystem Approach In view of the fact that the project activities are wholly based in a rural area, potential conflicts between the p roject and the environment are likely t o arise. Thus, i ssues pertaining to the use o f natural resources (e.g. livestock grazing, agriculture, irrigation, water source protection, agroforestry, etc.) have to be studied. In applying the ecosystem approach, the consultant not only focused on the Nyamahana irrigation scheme but also on all the ecosystems upstream and down stream that impact the environmental and social characteristics of the area. To accomplish this, the study sought an understanding of all activities taking place within the irrigation scheme's water catchment area. River pollution, sedimentation, flash floods, deforestation, destabilization of riverbanks, erosion, salinity, land degradation, and waterborne diseases (among others) are all contributing to degradation of the catchment area. In suggesting mitigation measures, sustainable practices for the use of water and land resources must be adopted to prevent and control environmental and social problems. 1.3.2 Farming System Approach On the irrigation scheme level, a farming system approach was used to describe and analyse environmental and socio-economic conditions. Issues related to soil contamination, water pollution, the use and dangers of pesticides and fertilizers, health, and others have been identified. It is clear that the irrigation activities w ill t ransform v illage I ife and the w hole farming s ystem in the Nyamahana area. The success of the proposed mitigating measures will, therefore, depend on community involvement, improvement of the socio-economic situation, capacity building, and proper upgrading, maintenance and operation of the irrigation infrastructure. The latter should take into account the local environment as well as the prevailing institutional, economic and social conditions. 1.3.3 Participatory Approach A participatory approach was adopted in preparation for the environmental audit. This entailed seeking information/experience from stakeholders (i.e. farmers, district and regional officers, RBMSIIP and other institutions who have been involved in the project). In order to ensure effective participation and cooperation it was necessary to inform stakeholders prior to the audit of the environmental and socio- economic problems to be addressed. Their inputs have contributed to the development of more realistic and appropriate mitigation measures. 2  BASIC APPROACH TO THE STUDY Figure 1.1 Environmen & W ateroqupsal Asoil t Socio-economic ) socio-economics Mitigatio ,n Measures Environmental & Social Management Plan Monitoring system 3 IF IF~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  1.4 METHODOLOGY The methodology follows Tanzanian policy and legislation and the World Bank's policies on environmental assessment (OP 4.0) and related policies and guidance documents). Available reference documents were reviewed for purposes of identifying pertinent environmental and social issues. Information was obtained on the Nyamahana irrigation scheme before and after construction as well as during operation. Several meetings were held with SIIP project staff. In particular, the ECU team, which was involved in the Scheme Environmental Assessment, was consulted to discuss background and potential issues. Subsequently, a ten-day field mission was conducted in August bythe studyteam and members ofECU. The team was used to: 1) complete further fieldwork at various sites in the Nyamahana irrigation scheme, 2) collect additional information, 3) work with the irrigation scheme management team, and 4) to liaise with the various stakeholders including the district officials. During the field visits, the Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan for disseminating the results of the Draft Environmental Audit were developed with the ECLU staff 1.4.1 Consultation Public c onsultations took place i n two phases. The first phase t ook place d uring the E nvironmental Audit (EA) preparation process. This initial stage allowed for the identification of the key environmental issues and involved the gathering of information on stakeholder concerns and views of potential environmental and social impacts. During the secondly phase, consultations allowed stakeholders to review findings and give their comments. 1.4.2 Analytical Tools The following methodologies were applied in the process of the study: * Participatory data collection * Key informant interviews * Socio-economic and environmental analysis * Trend analysis of river flow and rainfall * Water and soil quality analysis * Geographical information systems (GIS) Participatory Data Collection Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) involves problem analysis, ranking, proposal planning, role assigning and timing. The role playing consisted of a facilitator who played the role of an advisor on the d ifferent matters raised during the workshop (those which the team was not i nformed a bout or aware of). In the final analysis, a Logical Framework Approach workshop (also known as ZOPP) produced the Environmental Action Plan for the irrigation scheme. Key Informant Interview In addition to group discussions, information was also obtained from key informants. These were generally staff from the Zonal Irrigation Office (ZIO), the District Executive Director (DED), farmers of the Nyamahana scheme, village officials (including village leaders), and others (agriculture and irrigation officers who are residents in the community). Any inconsistent information was cross- checked to ensure accuracy. Various officials conducted the crosschecking of information while members of the study team facilitated the group discussions. Socio-economic and Environment A total of 100 household questionnaires (sample size) have been administered using the random sampling method. This represents 20 Percent of households of the study area (upstream, down stream and scheme level). 80 percent (80 questionnaires) of selected sample size has been administered at Igomelo village (scheme level), where as 10 percent (10 questionnaires) has been administered at Nyamihuu village (upstream village) and 10 percent (10 questionnaires) has been administered at Mloa-Malizanga village (downstream village). 4  Qualitative and Quantitative data relating to the socio-economic and environmental conditions of the scheme was collected and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. Trend Analysis of River Flow and Rainfall An investigation was conducted upstream and downstream on rivers that feed the scheme. Both statistical and visual interpretations of variability analysis were applied. To further reveal any existence of severe abstraction or flow regime changes, variability analysis was done month to month. Any possible causes for the change in the flow regime were quantified. In this regard, annual rainfall variability for stations in or around the study area was noted. Three approaches were followed to tackle the impacts problem: