Modelling agricultural production of small‐scale farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa: A case study in western Kenya

Abstract. There is a need for an evidence-based approach to identify how best to support development of groundwater for small scale irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We argue that it is important to focus this effort on shallow groundwater resources which are most likely to be used by poor rural communities in SSA. However, it is important to consider constraints, since shallow groundwater resources are likely to be vulnerable to over-exploitation and climatic variability. We examine here the opportunities and constraints and draw upon evidence from Ethiopia. We present a methodology for assessing and interpreting available shallow groundwater resources and argue that participatory monitoring of local water resources is desirable and feasible. We consider possib le models for developing distributed small-scale irrigation and assess its technical feasibility. Because of power limits on water lifting and also because of available technology for well construction, groundwater at depths of 50 m or 60 m cannot be regarded as easily accessible for small-scale irrigation. We therefore adopt a working definition of shallow groundwater as < 20 m depth. This detailed case study in the Dangila woreda in Ethiopia explores the feasibility of exploiting shallow groundwater for small-scale irrigation over a range of rainfall conditions. Variability of rainfall over the study period (9 % to 96 % probability of non-exceedance) does not translate into equivalent variability in groundwater levels and river baseflow. Groundwater levels, monitored by local communities, persist into the dry season to at least the end of December in most shallow wells, indicating that groundwater is available for irrigation use after the cessation of the wet season. Arguments historically put forward against the promotion of groundwater use for agriculture in SSA on the basis that aquifers are unproductive and irrigation will have unacceptable impacts on wetlands and other groundwater-dependent ecosystems appear exaggerated. It would be unwise to generalise from this case study to the whole of SSA, but useful insights into the wider issues are revealed by the case study approach. We believe there is a case for arguing that shallow groundwater in sub-Saharan Africa represents a neglected opportunity for sustainable intensification of small-scale agriculture.

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Talent and Africa Standing on Its Own Feet

Advances in Electronic Government, Digital Divide, and Regional Development - Handbook of Research on Nurturing Industrial Economy for Africa’s Development ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-6471-4.ch004 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 54-73

Author(s):

Meleckidzedeck Khayesi

Keyword(s):

Community Development ◽

Past Research ◽

Dairy Goat ◽

Small Scale ◽

Family Needs ◽

Case Study Method ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Agricultural Enterprises ◽

Small Scale Farmers

The objective of this case study is to examine how a farmer, Mr. Alex Omwela Adala, has utilised his talent to create self-reinforcing agricultural enterprises to stand on his own feet. This study addresses a gap in past research on entrepreneurship which tended to focus on profiles of entrepreneurs as well as development and outcomes of investment in businesses. Starting literally from scratch, this farmer has currently nine self-reinforcing agricultural enterprises that have enabled him to cater for his family needs and provide technical support to other small-scale farmers. He has played a key role in founding and managing the Dairy Goat Association of Kenya, Western Kenya Branch. The contribution of this chapter is in using a case study method and a transformative story to learn about talent exploitation for individual and community development. The chapter does not only provide an approach of data collection but also experiential insights and wisdom of an entrepreneur who has travelled the path of investment for 30 years.

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Evaluating conservation agriculture for small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment ◽

10.1016/j.agee.2014.01.018 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 187 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

James R. Stevenson ◽

Rachid Serraj ◽

Kenneth G. Cassman

Keyword(s):

South Asia ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Small Scale ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Small Scale Farmers

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Overview of Ecosystem-Based Approaches to Drought Risk Reduction Targeting Small-Scale Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation in Practice - Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-43633-3_9 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 199-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Julia Kloos ◽

Fabrice G. Renaud

Keyword(s):

Risk Reduction ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Small Scale ◽

Drought Risk ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Small Scale Farmers

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Successful small-scale irrigation or environmental destruction? The political ecology of competing claims on water in the Uluguru Mountains,Tanzania

Journal of Political Ecology ◽

10.2458/v24i1.20881 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 406 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Elizabeth Harrison ◽

Anna Mdee

Keyword(s):

Political Ecology ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

External Support ◽

Small Scale ◽

The Political ◽

Water Shortages ◽

Uluguru Mountains ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

Nearby City

Abstract In the Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania, an expansion in informal hosepipe irrigation by small-scale farmers has enabled the development of horticulture, and resulted in improvements in farmers' livelihoods. This has largely taken place independently of external support, and can be seen as an example of the 'private' irrigation that is increasingly viewed as important for sub-Saharan Africa. However, these activities are seen by representatives of government and some donors as the cause of environmental degradation and water shortages downstream, especially in the nearby city of Morogoro. As a result, there have been attempts to evict the farmers from the mountain. Negative narratives persist and the farmers on the mountainside are portrayed as a problem to be 'solved.' This article explores these tensions, contributing to debates about the formalization of water management arrangements and the place of the state in regulating and adjudicating rights to access water. We argue that a focus on legality and formalization serves to obscure the political nature of competing claims on resources that the case illustrates. Keywords: irrigation; Tanzania; ethnography; political ecology; water

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Challenges and innovations in achieving zero hunger and environmental sustainability through the lens of sub-Saharan Africa

Outlook on Agriculture ◽

10.1177/0030727020975778 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 003072702097577

Author(s):

Moses Okello ◽

Jimmy Lamo ◽

Mildred Ochwo-Ssemakula ◽

Francis Onyilo

Keyword(s):

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Food System ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Small Scale ◽

Weather Extremes ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Daunting Task ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Zero Hunger

Achieving zero hunger by 2030 often raises the issue of environmental protection or sustainable social development among policy makers due to the environmental footprint of intensifying agricultural production across the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has one of the fastgrowing populations with more than half of the global growth between now and 2050. The challenge now lies in feeding the ever-growing population that is exerting pressure on the limited available resources. Doubling the agricultural productivity of small-scale farmers by 2030 (SDG 2.3) remains a daunting task for researcher and policy makers to address on the continent that now relies much on imports of food. Exploitation of the untapped massive land resources for agricultural production poses threats to sustainability. However, the challenges of global warming cannot be left out of this discussion since it has direct impact on future productivity on the continent. Climate change that has been projected to mostly affect the poorer countries also present trials to the food system through increased diseases and weather extremes of floods and droughts. Questions are yet to be answered on which tradeoffs and synergies if any need to be made to achieve zero hunger in Africa by 2030. This synopsis critically breaks down the conflicts, tradeoffs and synergies of how a continent with such massive agricultural production potential can navigate sustainably to achieve zero hunger, self-sufficiency and exports prospects while conserving the environment and natural resources. Evident deployment of new and improved technologies especially advanced biotechnology tools will be critical in achieving zero hunger by 2030. The adaptation needs of the continent are broad including institutional, social, physical and infrastructural needs, ecosystem services and environmental needs, and financial and capacity uncertain impacts.

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