FAO Hosts Workshop to Evaluate the Beta Version of the IPADT Tool for Irrigation Performance at the Office du Niger

With support from the Netherlands, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a workshop to present and evaluate the beta version of the Irrigation Performance Assessment and Diagnosis Tool (IPADT) developed for the Office du Niger. The event took place in Bamako, Mali, from 6 to 7 November 2024.
At the heart of this initiative is the FAO's WaPOR portal, a near-real-time, open-access satellite data platform designed to monitor agricultural water productivity. WaPOR offers unprecedented resources for assessing agricultural production and water management, playing a critical role in supporting sustainable irrigation practices.
The Office du Niger has been actively engaged in the WaPOR project, participating in key events such as the inception workshop in March 2022 and the WaPOR introductory training in November 2022. These meetings, along with direct discussions with staff, helped identify information needs and introduced the concept of irrigation performance, setting the stage for the development of IPADT by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
Workshop Objectives
The IPADT tool aims to evaluate the performance of the irrigation system using a range of indicators, enabling the diagnosis of water resource efficiency within the irrigated perimeter. It will assist the management of the Office du Niger in:
- Allocating water resources more effectively, efficiently, and equitably across irrigation zones.
- Providing evidence-based support for decisions related to the rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage infrastructure.
Workshop Outcomes
The workshop provided an opportunity to:
- Collect feedback from Office du Niger officials and operators to improve the beta version of IPADT.
- Finalize the mapping of irrigation zones and parcels, including names and identifying areas classified as “outside parcels.”
This workshop marks a critical milestone in the collaboration between FAO, IWMI, and the Office du Niger, emphasizing the potential of data-driven tools to address water management challenges. The improved IPADT tool is expected to support better decision-making, enhance water resource allocation, and ensure the sustainable operation of irrigation systems within the region.
The FAO remains committed to empowering stakeholders through innovative technologies and capacity-building efforts that contribute to agricultural resilience and sustainability.