The Minister of Environment, Rural Development and Natural Resources, Jose Maria Veiga, will inaugurate August 3, several agricultural infrastructures funded by the Millennium Challenge Account - Cape Verde (MCA-CV) and the Government of Cape Verde in Mosteiros watershed, island of Fogo.

The following infrastructure will be symbolically inaugurated: a 1000m³ reservoir and its water distribution system in the locality of Atalaia, the Rural Extension Centre of Ribeira de Ilheu, which was completely rehabilitated and equipped, reservoirs in Pai António, Monte Barro and their rainwater captation systems and a 1000m³ reservoir in the locality of Matinho. During the ceremony, the National Institute of Water Resources shall also invest the members of the Water Management Unit that will manage these facilities.

Aiming to increase agricultural production in the watershed of Mosteiros by improving water mobilization and management of resources, and strengthening of agricultural services, marketing and credit to agriculture with support from the MCA-CV, Mosteiros was provided with seven reservoirs (5 of 1000 m³ and 2 of 500 m³), four captation dikes, five torrential control dikes and 43 small dikes. In addition, the Rural Extension Centre in the town of Ribeira de Ilheu was fully rehabilitated and equipped. For all above mentioned infrastructure Environmental Impact Assessments and monitoring was conducted. For Water Management, a Monitoring Plan and a Community Based Water Management Plan was prepared.

Also under this project in Mosteiros 201 farmers and 12 rural extension workers were trained in areas such as drip irrigation, credit and post-harvest techniques.

To develop agricultural activity in this watershed, 59 farmers received credit to purchase drip irrigation equipment and for agri-business activities.

The inauguration ceremony will be attended by the MCA-CV Managing Director, Laurent Mehdi Brito, Millennium Challenge Corporation Country Director, Stahis Panagides and Members of the MCA-CV Stakeholders Committee.