IS LARGE-SCALE PUBLIC IRRIGATION THE WAYFORWARD FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA? - Sustainable Irrigation Development in the White Volta Sub-Basin - page 80

 Poor operation and maintenance of irrigation system (Inocencio et
al., 2007);
 Overvalued exchange rates acting as a disincentive to agricultural
production (Jones, 1995).
The general expectation is that irrigation development generates sufficient
returns to justify investment. The problems experienced in many large scale
irrigation schemes in sub-Saharan Africa have raised the question whether
large scale irrigation schemes represent an appropriate policy solution in the
African context. This question will be answered at the end of the chapter.

The next section of the chapter will make an inventory of large-scale
irrigation schemes in the White Volta sub-basin (Burkina Faso and Ghana);
with the subsequent section discussing the performance of two large
irrigation schemes found in the White Volta sub-basin (Vea and Tono).

4.2.4 Large-Scale Irrigation Development in the

White Volta sub-basin

Burkina Faso and Ghana, which have the largest shares in the White Volta
sub-basin, have developed large reservoirs for the purposes of irrigation,
hydro-power, water supply and livestock. An inventory of the large irrigation
schemes developed in both countries is given in the following section.

The White Volta sub-basin of Burkina Faso
The potential irrigable area of Burkina Faso in the White Volta Basin is
142,000ha (FAO, 1997). The development of large-scale irrigation schemes
intensified after the 1970 droughts. Water supply for Large-scale irrigation
schemes in Burkina Faso are from either large reservoirs or rivers. Some of
the large reservoirs are used for hydro-power and irrigation at the same time.
Table 4.1 is a compilation of some large-scale irrigation schemes in Burkina
Faso located within the White Volta sub-basin.