Service Contract No 2007 / 147-446 - Swaziland

Management and maintenance‣ Most equipment has been stolen and/or vandalised. This includes hydraulic valves,hydromatics, sprinkler stands, sprinkler and nozzles. These need to be replaced ormaintained.‣ No scheduling measurements were followed and under the current irrigation pattern theirrigation system cannot meet sugarcane irrigation requirement.‣ The different soil series on which the project is developed has different water holdingproperties and require different irrigation patterns. These are difficult to manage.‣ Farmers do not have the required expertise on irrigation matters and end up makingexpensive mistakes.Maintenance‣ Without an operation and maintenance manual, management have difficulty in operatingand maintaining the system. Incorrect operation procedures are followed and impropermaintenance schedules adopted.‣ Old equipment reduces efficiency of system. This equipment includes hydromatics,draglines, tripod stands, sprinkler and nozzles. The most economic decision would be toreplace this equipment instead of maintaining them.Maphobeni Farmers Association Report - 2009 Page - 56 -