scholarly journals Reform of irrigation management and investment policy in African development

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 652-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
KW Easter ◽  
S Zekri
Keyword(s):  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Investment Strategy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Small Farm ◽  
Irrigation Development ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Direct Government ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

This paper examines the reform of water and irrigation management in Africa and compares it with similar reforms in Asia.  Several things are evident from the review.  First, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is at an earlier stage of irrigation development and reform than Asia.  Second, the articulated need for reform is much stronger in Asia than it is in SSA.  Third, the productivity of small-scale irrigated farms is significantly lower in SSA compared to Asia.  Thus any irrigation investment strategy in SSA should be different from Asia and focus on increasing small-farm productivity as well as small-scale irrigation projects.  Finally, all direct government irrigation investments should be done jointly with decisions regarding the type of project management.

scholarly journals Shallow groundwater in sub-Saharan Africa: neglected opportunity for sustainable intensification of small-scale agriculture?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Gowing ◽  
Geoff Parkin ◽  
Nathan Forsythe ◽  
David Walker ◽  
Alemseged Tamiru Haile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Sustainable Intensification ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

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.

The prospects for small scale irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa

1985 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Kay ◽  
W. Stephens ◽  
M. K. V. Carr
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

scholarly journals Irigasi Kecil: Kinerja, Masalah, dan Solusinya

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
Tri Bastuti Purwantini ◽  
Rita Nur Suhaeti
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Irrigation Performance ◽  
Irrigation Systems ◽  
Irrigation Development ◽  
Problems And Solutions ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

<p>Irrigation facilities is one of the key factors in farming, especially for food crop farming, including rice. A small-scale irrigation system has an area of less than 500 hectares, and it is the backbone of family food security which in turn will lead to national food security. Damage irrigation system networks will threaten food production increase. In the future, irrigation infrastructure must be better managed so that agricultural sector can realize agricultural diversification, conserve wider irrigation system and maintain local wisdom and social capital in irrigation management. The objective of the paper is to analyze performance, problems and solutions of small irrigation systems in Indonesia, including small irrigation concepts and understanding, small irrigation performance and development, small irrigation development policies, factors affecting smallscale irrigation development, investments, and prospects. The paper also compares various performances, problems and solutions of small irrigation systems in other countries. Small scale irrigation performance is often better than large-scale irrigation, in the sense of water availability throughout the year and equitable water distribution for all service areas.</p><p> </p><p>Abstrak</p><p>Sarana irigasi merupakan faktor penting dalam usaha tani khususnya tanaman pangan. Sistem irigasi kecil dengan luas oncoran kurang dari 500 ha merupakan tulang punggung ketahanan pangan keluarga yang pada gilirannya bermuara pada ketahanan pangan tingkat nasional. Kerusakan jaringan sistem irigasi akan mengancam peningkatan produksi pangan. Di masa yang akan datang, infrastruktur irigasi harus dikelola secara lebih baik agar sektor pertanian dapat mewujudkan diversifikasi pertanian, semakin luasnya konservasi sistem irigasi, serta kearifan lokal dan modal sosial dalam pengelolaan irigasi dapat terpelihara. Tulisan ini bertujuan menganalisis kinerja, masalah dan solusi sistem irigasi kecil di Indonesia, termasuk konsep dan pengertian irigasi kecil, kinerja dan perkembangan irigasi kecil, kebijakan pengembangan irigasi kecil, faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi pengembangan investasi irigasi kecil, dan prospek pengembangan irigasi kecil. Dalam tulisan ini juga dibandingkan berbagai kinerja, masalah dan solusi dari sistem irigasi kecil di negera-negara lain. Kinerja irigasi kecil seringkali lebih baik dari irigasi skala besar, dalam arti ketersediaan air sepanjang tahun dan terdapat keadilan pembagian air untuk seluruh wilayah oncorannya.</p>

Analysis of water quality of selected irrigation water sources in northern Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1308-1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davie Kadyampakeni ◽  
Richard Appoh ◽  
Jennie Barron ◽  
Enoch Boakye-Acheampong
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Irrigation Development ◽  
Sodium Percent ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

Abstract Small-scale irrigation continues to cushion the food security gap in sub-Saharan Africa. Irrigation is largely governed by water availability, soil type and crop water requirements, among other factors. Thus, a study was conducted to assess the suitability of various water sources for irrigation in northern Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to assess quality of water sources in the Savelugu, Kasena-Nankana East, and Nabdam districts for small-scale irrigation development. The water quality parameters used were: pH, electrical conductivity (ECw), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percent (Na%), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), Kelley's ratio (KR), total hardness (TH), chloride (Cl), Escherichia coli, and fecal coliforms. While we found most of the irrigation water sources, including small reservoirs, dams, wells and rivers suitable, few unsuitable irrigation water sources were also identified. Overall, the study found that opportunities for scaling small-scale irrigation exist in all the sites. The knowledge generated from this study will guide irrigation water use, and agricultural policy for sustainable smallholder irrigation development in the region.

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