Communal irrigation systems in South-Eastern Africa: findings on productivity and profitability. Issue 5 (3rd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pittock, Jamie; Bjornlund, Henning; Stirzaker, Richard; van Rooyen, Andre
• Is Part Of: International journal of water resources development. Volume 33:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 839
• Page End: 847
• Publication Date: 2017-09-03
• Subjects: Africa -- agriculture -- governance -- market access -- smallholder irrigation -- water productivity; Water resources development -- Periodicals; Water-supply, Agricultural -- Periodicals; 333.91005
• DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2017.1324768
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0790-0627

Abstract

Abstract: Significant expansion of irrigated agriculture is planned in Africa, though existing smallholder schemes perform poorly. Research at six schemes in Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe shows that a range of problems are exacerbated by poor management, with limited market linkages leading to underutilization and a lack of profit. Improving sustainability of these complex systems will require: multiple interventions at different scales; investing in people and institutions as much as hardware; clarity in governments' objectives for their smallholder irrigation schemes; appropriate business models to enable farmers; and better market linkages.