Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The rate of irrigation development in sub-Saharan Africa is the slowest
compared to other regions of the world and can be linked to the
following unresolved challenges: high development cost of irrigation,
lack of access to credits for farmers, unreliable and unpredictable
markets, ineffective institutions, low productivity, and finally
inappropriate
technologies
coupled
with
poor
infrastructural
maintenance.
The potential irrigable area of sub-Saharan Africa is 42 million
hectares with only 5% developed, making sub-Saharan Africa a
potential bread-basket for the future global population. This potential
can not be realised until an enabling condition is created. The study
has identified five success factors for irrigation development in sub-
Saharan Africa and the enabling condition through which it can be
achieved. These factors include: (1) secure access to land and water,
(2) appropriate technology, (3) predictable and stable input/output
markets, (4) reliable farmer support environment, and (5) effective
institutions with favourable policies. These factors function as a chain
of shackles, the chain being as strong as the weakest shackle. This
implies that in a given situation the weakest shackle has to be
strengthened.
This theory has been tested on some irrigation systems across sub-
Saharan Africa with various degrees of success and has proven to
reveal the sources of success and failure. In the reviewed cases the
weakest aspects were secure access to land and water, and effective
institutions and favourable policies.
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