The Komati Basin Development Project

The Swaziland Komati Project Enterprise (SKPE)

Project Specifics

Feasibility

The feasibility of the Project has been the subject of several in-depth studies. Gibb (1992) prepared the Feasibility Study for the Komati River Basin Development. This study examined in detail the water resources, the agricultural development alternatives and the social and environmental impacts. The study showed that the project was socially and financially feasible.

Subsequent reviews were undertaken to determine the effect of world agricultural commodity prices on the financial viability. The most recent study was completed in 1997 and demonstrated the underlying soundness of the project.

The several reports are listed in the bibliography and are available from SKPE.

Design

Detailed design of the Downstream Development Project (KDDP) has begun with the award of consultancies aimed at achieving workable social, economic and engineering systems.

These consultancies were awarded in December 1999 and January 2000.

The approach adopted by SKPE is one in which participation of the affected people is sought for all aspects of design.

The Consultancies let at present are:

SKPE 0007	Environmental Impact, Mitigation and Monitoring
SKPE 0008	Komati Information Management System A Strategic Information System to be used as a design and monitoring tool
SKPE 0009	Project Redefinition and Irrigation Design
SKPE 0010	Participation and Resettlement Strategy Aimed at maximising participation and minimising resettlement
SKPE 0011	Development of Institutional, Financial and Water Management, Comprehensive Mitigation and Training Plans

The aims and outputs of these consultancies are discussed in more detail in Consultancy Works - Aims and Outputs.

Implementation

Implementation of the physical works will be phased over 5 years.

The first planting of 1,500 hectares will take place in September 2001 to coincide with the first release of water from Maguga Dam. Subsequent plantings will be carried from September of each year until completion of the whole area in April 2006.

The off-field irrigation works selected in the Feasibility Study consist of pumping stations in the Komati River with pumping mains to the fields. The only canal works envisaged consist of upgrading the existing IYSIS canal to increase its capacity.

The in-field works consist of clearing, ripping, and field preparation followed by the installation of pipelines and dragline sprinklers. It is intended that these works will be financed and implemented by the smallholder associations: SKPE will provide technical guidance, training and assistance with sourcing finance.

The project programme is shown below.