UNCDF mulls climate-resilient irrigation projects in two districts
DODOMA: THE United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is expecting to implement separate robust irrigation infrastructure projects in Mpwapwa and Kondoa districts of Dodoma to support locally-led climate adaptation initiatives.
The two projects will be implemented through the second phase of the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL), according to the UNCDF National Coordinator of LoCAL Facility, Dr Aine Mushi.
According to Dr Mushi, during Phase II which kicked off in October 01, 2024, the UN agency is expected to pump into the Local projects in Mpwapwa District a total of 189,380 US dollars.
“We are now moving to the second phase of the project following a successful implementation during the pilot phase, therefore, we in UNCDF look forward to continued commitment in the next phase,’’ insisted Dr Mushi.
Local facility is a standard internationally recognised mechanism that helps local government authorities in developing and least developed countries access the climate finance, capacity building and technical support they need to respond and adapt to climate change.
Last week the UNCDF launched the second phase of the local facility in Tanzania with a funding of 33bn/-. This phase will enhance local governments’ capacities in planning, implementing and monitoring climate adaptation strategies that are responsive to local contexts and gender considerations.
With support from the European Union (EU), Belgium, Ireland and Norway the second phase aims to deepen the efforts made in Phase I by expanding its reach to an additional four districts and one municipality in the coastal regions of Tanzania addressing ongoing challenges in climate resilience.
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The LoCAL programme, with support from the EU and the government of Sweden, was piloted from 2022 to 2023 in the Chamwino, Mpwapwa and Kondoa districts of the Dodoma region and benefited more than 800,000 people, particularly women.
The results of LoCAL Phase I include improvements in climate change adaptation infrastructure projects that enhanced access to essential services for over 10,500 people directly in the vulnerable communities of target districts.
A spot-check by the `Daily News’ of the envisaged irrigation infrastructure projects in Mpwapwa and Kondoa Districts respectively found out villagers were ready to receive support from the UN agency.
In Mpwapwa district, the irrigation scheme project by UNCDF is expected to be implemented in Kitati village and in Kondoa District the project will be executed in Bumbuta village. The two much awaited projects were until last week pending approval from donors.
During an interview with the `Daily News’, 43-year-old Kizito Kusakala a resident of Kitati village in Mpwapwa district said that his village was facing a challenge of prolonged droughts, therefore, he noted, the coming UNCDF climate change project would help them in farming activities.
“As a woman farmer, I’ve been struggling with the rising costs of pesticides due to recurring droughts. This has significantly impacted my yields, making it difficult to sustain a profitable livelihood,” said Zeli Ngowo, the 53-year-old Vice-chairperson of the Kitati Irrigation scheme infrastructure.
Like in Mpwapwa’s Kikati village, in Kondoa district, the Chancellor of Bumbuta ward, Shamte Rashid said that poor irrigation infrastructure in his ward was an impediment towards realisation of dreams by farmers.
“I pay tribute to UNCDF for supporting us since the implementation of phase I of the Local programme,’’ he said.
LoCAL was designed by UNCDF in 2011 to promote climate change–resilient communities and local economies by establishing a standard, internationally recognised country-based mechanism to channel climate finance to local government authorities in developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries (LDC)s.
