Mauritania - Study on Irrigated Agriculture Development in West Brakna

The present intervention concerns the Study on Irrigated Agriculture Development in West Brakna. It aims to define a master development plan for 18,600 ha and to draw up technical and economic feasibility documents for the development of approximately 4,000 ha. Indeed, the Government intends to cover on average 55% of the country's food needs by the year 2010, in particular by increasing rice production and basic cereals. This study should help to identify the different varieties of possible agricultural speculation (rice, other cereals, market gardening, etc.) in order to encourage agricultural diversification. It also addresses environmental aspects and the benefits that the developments will bring specifically to women. The study should be carried out in two phases. The first phase should last 9 months and be devoted to the collection of basic data, the exploitation of existing study reports, the diagnostic study of the situation at the time in all relevant areas of the study and the elaboration of the planning scheme for the area. The second phase is expected to last 9 months and lead to the full and detailed study report, including a study on the environmental impact of the project.