Evaluation type: External independent final evaluation
Evaluator(s): Dr. C. Inayatullah, Team Leader
Field visit dates: 30 September to 9 October 2023
Final report date: 18 February 2024
Commissioned by: IOM Mission in Azerbaijan
PROJECT SUMMARY
Azerbaijan is a semi-arid to arid region and its water security is challenged due to transboundary water issues, inadequate in-house water management system and breakdown of its centuries old system of kahrizes due to neglect, shifting to motorized water pumps, artisan wells and wars in the Nagorno-Garabagh region which is home to kahrizes.
The overall goal of the project was “to increase livelihood opportunities and access to water resources for rural communities in Azerbaijan”. The project had six outcomes. The project covered Aghjabadi, Aghdam, Barda, Fuzuli, Ganja, Gazakh, Goranboy, Shamkir, Goygol and Jabrayil Regions. The project regions are infested with the Internally Displaced Persons [IDPs].
The project aimed to rehabilitate 40 kahrizes, and increase water supply from 55.1 l/s to 400 l/s for drinking and irrigation purposes; develop Atlas of Kahrizes in Azerbaijan and Master Plan for Kahriz Revitalization; establish Kahriz Research and Information Centre, in the Azerbaijan State Agriculture University [ASAU]; support most vulnerable IDPs to improve their livelihoods through business development; and undertake advocacy events to attract the attention of the government and public towards the centuries old. most sustainable and energy-free water supply system.
The project efficiency was affected due to COVID-19 pandemic during 2019-2020- and 44-days war in 2020 [happened in project areas]. However, the KOICA and the IOM extended the project duration for 18 months to cover the time lost, and the project targets were rationalized. [reduced from 40 kahrizes to 34 kahrizes but with the same water supply target of 400 l/s].
The project has built capacity of the Kankans [workers who develop kahrizes] and local communities to develop and maintain kahrizes, organized communities into Water Users Associations [WUAs], and Water User Committees [WUCs] who are responsible for the maintenance and operation of the developed water supply systems. First time in the history of kahriz development, project introduced vertical and horizontal drilling machines to develop kahrizes on fast-track basis. The project has won 2021 Global Energy Award.
Evaluation purpose: to assess whether the project has achieved what it had set out to do, results realized, contextual factors that facilitated observed results, and identify important lessons learnt, and give recommendations for IOM, the donor [KOICA] and in particular for the relevant ministries and government agencies to inform future programming in the sphere of rehabilitation of kahriz water supply system and to ensure sustainability of the interventions.
Evaluation criteria: Relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability
Evaluation methodology: Document review, semi-structured interviews, Focus Group Discussions and direct observations.
KEY FINDINGS & CONCLUSIONS:
- Rehabilitated 30 kahrizes [as of the time of TE] with water supply of 12.58 million m3/year][415.1 ll/s].
- Renovated 203.3 km long water channels; and brought 658.5 ha under irrigation.
- With the increase in water supply, the cropping intensity and thus profitability has increased 2-3 times.
- Trained 10 Master Trainers and 50 Kankans.
- Introduced a graduate course at the ASAU, trained 12 teachers and 150 students in kahriz system.
- Produced National Atlas and Master Plan for Kahriz Revitalization, and a book entitled “Kahriz System” in English and Azerbaijani.
- Studied gaps in legislation regarding kahrizes in Azerbaijan and advocated to rehabilitate the centuries old water supply system, in the light of rapidly unfolding effects of climate change.
- Overall, the project benefited 22,974 persons, of which almost 50% were females.
- Trained and organized 253 community members in kahriz maintenance.
- The renovated kahrizes have been handed over to WUCs along with maintenance plans.
- Project has won the prestigious Global Energy Award, and its contributions to GHG reduction over a period of 30 years is estimated to be 18,848.5 tons of carbon dioxide.
- The project achieved its planned targets and thus its performance is rated as EXCELLENT [rating 5]
CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES
The project enhanced the availability of basic necessity of life [water], thus its benefits reached to all the segments of society, may it be IDPs or host communities, regardless of age, sex, different ability, etc. It supplied energy-free drinking/irrigation water resulting in environmental enhancement and reduction of carbon emissions.
All the kahrizes/wells were mapped by GPS, and ICT was fully used. Comprehensive Atlas and Master Plan of Kahriz Revitalization was produced in English and Azerbaijani.
GOOD PRACTICES
- Fast-track kahriz development and renovation by using vertical and horizontal drilling machines.
- Enhancement of irrigation efficiency by drip irrigation system, especially in water scarce situations.
LESSONS LEARNED
The GoA and people prefer the renovation and further development of kahriz system and seeing it more sustainable than the motorized water pumps, artisan wells, etc., in the light of changing climate [reduced precipitation]. They are willing to provide all kinds of support.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Strengthen monitoring and evaluation system and report achievements on all indicators in technical reports; and conduct a socio-economic impact study of the kahriz rehabilitation.
- determine reasons of drying up of 7 kahriz, and make efforts to restore these.
- extend project duration by 3 months to implement the above two recommendations.
- Revisit legislation regarding the ownership 0f kahrizes and role of various stakeholders.
- Develop water reservoirs at kahriz-heads and install pumping system to equally benefit the upstream communities.
- Consider brick lining of water channels in future projects to minimize water losses during conveyance.
- In future projects IOM/GoA should promote high efficiency irrigation techniques.
- To increase cost-efficiency, consider promoting hybrid-approach for kahriz rehabilitation by using mechanical drills to excavate wells and labour [Kankans] for excavating tunnels.
- As the project contributes towards carbon reduction, it should be registered with UNFCCC to claim carbon credits.
- On priority basis, consider a successor project to support the Great Return Program of the GoA by rehabilitating kahrizes in the war affected areas.
- Advocate with GoA, not to allow the builders/ contractors to use high magnitude explosives for breaking rocks in kahriz areas as it disturbs the underground strata and effects water discharge rate.
- Capitalize the interest of KOICA to fund a similar project with enhanced focus on climate change adaptation/mitigation. The livelihood components could be supported through cash for work modality.