A new approach to water management is gaining attention in West Africa, where local communities are being placed at the centre of decisions about how water resources are planned, developed and maintained. The Smart Valleys approach aims to strengthen community participation in water management while supporting more effective agricultural water use.

Developed through research and practical experience, the approach focuses on involving local water users throughout the process rather than limiting their role to the implementation stage. Farmers and other community members can contribute their knowledge of local conditions, helping ensure that water infrastructure responds to the needs of the people who depend on it.

CGIAR and AfricaRice have shared a new 12-step framework designed to formalise the Smart Valleys approach across Mali, Niger and Nigeria. The framework provides a structured process for applying the method, offering guidance on how local participation can be incorporated into planning, design and long-term maintenance.

Community Participation at the Core

Water management projects often depend on more than infrastructure alone. Their effectiveness can also be influenced by local geography, farming practices, community priorities and the ability of users to maintain the systems over time.

The Smart Valleys approach recognises the importance of these factors by bringing local stakeholders into the decision-making process. Their involvement can help identify practical challenges early, improve the suitability of planned interventions and encourage shared responsibility for maintaining water-related infrastructure.

A Structured Framework for Three Countries

The 12-step framework offers a common structure for implementing the approach in Mali, Niger and Nigeria. Establishing a formal process can help practitioners organise activities more consistently while allowing implementation to reflect local circumstances.

The framework’s emphasis on planning, design and maintenance is particularly relevant to agricultural communities, where the long-term usefulness of water management systems depends on how well they meet farmers’ needs and how effectively they are maintained.

Implications for Agricultural Water Management

For communities that rely on rainfall and locally managed water resources, better planning can support more informed decisions about agricultural water use. A participatory approach may also strengthen coordination among farmers, technical specialists and other stakeholders involved in rural development.

However, the framework’s practical impact will depend on how it is implemented, the resources available to communities and whether local users can remain involved throughout the life of a project. Its value will ultimately be measured by the effectiveness and sustainability of water management practices on the ground.

By establishing a 12-step structure for the Smart Valleys approach, CGIAR and AfricaRice are providing a framework for more community-centred water planning in West Africa. Its application across Mali, Niger and Nigeria could offer useful experience for efforts to make agricultural water management more responsive to local needs.