IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v14y2024i8p1218-d1442071.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Why Do Farmers Not Irrigate All the Areas Equipped for Irrigation? Lessons from Southern Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Luxon Nhamo

    (Water Research Commission of South Africa, Lynwood Manor, Pretoria 0081, South Africa
    Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems (CTAFS), School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa)

  • Sylvester Mpandeli

    (Water Research Commission of South Africa, Lynwood Manor, Pretoria 0081, South Africa
    Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
    Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Pretoria 0029, South Africa)

  • Stanley Liphadzi

    (Water Research Commission of South Africa, Lynwood Manor, Pretoria 0081, South Africa
    Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa)

  • Tinashe Lindel Dirwai

    (Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems (CTAFS), School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa
    International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Mount Pleasant, Harare P.O. Box MP163, Zimbabwe)

  • Hillary Mugiyo

    (Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems (CTAFS), School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa
    Ministry Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, 1 Borrowdale Road, Mount Pleasant, Harare P.O. Box MP163, Zimbabwe)

  • Aidan Senzanje

    (School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa)

  • Bruce A Lankford

    (School of Global Development, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK)

  • Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi

    (Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems (CTAFS), School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa
    Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London WC1E 7HT, UK
    United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4, Canada)

Abstract

The reliance on rainfed agriculture exposes southern Africa to low agricultural productivity and food and nutritional insecurity; yet, the region is endowed with vast irrigation potential. Extreme weather events including drought, floods, and heatwaves exacerbate the existing challenges, underscoring the need to improve agricultural water management as a climate change adaptation strategy. This mixed-methods review followed the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis (SALSA) framework to explore the irrigation opportunities and challenges in southern Africa by critically analysing the drivers and constraints of irrigation systems in southern Africa. The premise is to understand the reasons behind the abandonment of some of the areas equipped for irrigation. In cases where irrigation systems are present, the study assesses whether such technologies are effectively being used to generate the expected agricultural productivity gains, and what factors, in cases where that is not the case, constrain farmers from fully using the existing infrastructure. The review further discusses the enabling environment supporting irrigated agriculture and the role of gender in irrigation development. An assessment of the role of women in agriculture on the share of land equipped for irrigation to total cultivated land area, as well as on the proportion of the area equipped for irrigation versus the area that is actually irrigated is conducted. The review found a divergence between countries’ land areas equipped for irrigation and actually irrigated areas. Specific to irrigation expansion, the review rebuts the notion that increasing the irrigated area increases crop production and ensures food security. This may not always be true as irrigation development needs to consider the impacts on other closely linked water and energy sectors through transformative approaches like the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus and scenario planning. If well-planned and implemented, sustainable irrigated agriculture could be catalytic to transforming southern Africa’s food system to be inclusive, equitable, socially just, and resilient, benefiting people and the planet.

Suggested Citation

  • Luxon Nhamo & Sylvester Mpandeli & Stanley Liphadzi & Tinashe Lindel Dirwai & Hillary Mugiyo & Aidan Senzanje & Bruce A Lankford & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2024. "Why Do Farmers Not Irrigate All the Areas Equipped for Irrigation? Lessons from Southern Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:8:p:1218-:d:1442071
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/8/1218/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/8/1218/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Tendai Chibarabada & Albert Modi, 2016. "Water-Food-Nutrition-Health Nexus: Linking Water to Improving Food, Nutrition and Health in Sub-Saharan Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Nhamo, L. & Mabhaudhi, T. & Mpandeli, S. & Dickens, Chris & Nhemachena, C. & Senzanje, A. & Naidoo, D. & Liphadzi, S. & Modi, A. T., 2020. "An integrative analytical model for the water-energy-food nexus: South Africa case study," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 109:15-124..
    3. Magidi, J. & van Koppen, Barbara & Nhamo, L. & Mpandeli, S. & Slotow, R. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2021. "Informing equitable water and food policies through accurate spatial information on irrigated areas in smallholder farming systems," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-13(24):36.
    4. E. M. B. M. Karunathilake & Anh Tuan Le & Seong Heo & Yong Suk Chung & Sheikh Mansoor, 2023. "The Path to Smart Farming: Innovations and Opportunities in Precision Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-26, August.
    5. Simeon Ehui & John Pender, 2005. "Resource degradation, low agricultural productivity, and poverty in sub‐Saharan Africa: pathways out of the spiral," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 32(s1), pages 225-242, January.
    6. Vibeke Bjornlund & Henning Bjornlund & André F. van Rooyen, 2020. "Exploring the factors causing the poor performance of most irrigation schemes in post-independence sub-Saharan Africa," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(S1), pages 54-101, October.
    7. Nelson Mango & Clifton Makate & Lulseged Tamene & Powell Mponela & Gift Ndengu, 2018. "Adoption of Small-Scale Irrigation Farming as a Climate-Smart Agriculture Practice and Its Influence on Household Income in the Chinyanja Triangle, Southern Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-19, April.
    8. Mabhaudhi, T. & Mpandeli, S. & Nhamo, Luxon & Chimonyo, V. G. P. & Nhemachena, Charles & Senzanje, A. & Naidoo, D. & Modi, A. T., 2018. "Prospects for improving irrigated agriculture in Southern Africa: linking water, energy and food," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 10(12):1-16.
    9. Nhamo, Luxon & Mabhaudhi, T. & Modi, A. T., 2019. "Preparedness or repeated short-term relief aid?: building drought resilience through early warning in southern Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 45(1):75-85.
    10. Nhamo, L. & Mpandeli, S. & Liphadzi, S. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2022. "Securing land and water for food production through sustainable land reform: a nexus planning perspective," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-11(7):974.
    11. Cheryl R. Doss, 2018. "Women and agricultural productivity: Reframing the Issues," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 36(1), pages 35-50, January.
    12. Jamie Pittock & Henning Bjornlund & André van Rooyen, 2020. "Transforming failing smallholder irrigation schemes in Africa: a theory of change," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(S1), pages 1-19, October.
    13. Matchaya, Greenwell & Nhamo, Luxon & Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso & Nhemachena, Charles, 2019. "An overview of water markets in southern Africa: an option for water management in times of scarcity," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 11(5):1-16..
    14. Sithembile Ndema Mwamakamba & Lindiwe Majele Sibanda & Jamie Pittock & Richard Stirzaker & Henning Bjornlund & Andre van Rooyen & Paiva Munguambe & Makarius Victor Mdemu & Japhet J. Kashaigili, 2017. "Irrigating Africa: policy barriers and opportunities for enhanced productivity of smallholder farmers," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(5), pages 824-838, September.
    15. Kang, Shaozhong & Hao, Xinmei & Du, Taisheng & Tong, Ling & Su, Xiaoling & Lu, Hongna & Li, Xiaolin & Huo, Zailin & Li, Sien & Ding, Risheng, 2017. "Improving agricultural water productivity to ensure food security in China under changing environment: From research to practice," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 5-17.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Magidi, J. & van Koppen, Barbara & Nhamo, L. & Mpandeli, S. & Slotow, R. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2021. "Informing equitable water and food policies through accurate spatial information on irrigated areas in smallholder farming systems," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-13(24):36.
    2. Nhamo, L. & Mpandeli, S. & Liphadzi, S. & Hlophe-Ginindza, S. & Kapari, M. & Molwantwa, J. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2023. "Advances in water research: enhancing sustainable water use in irrigated agriculture in South Africa," Book Chapters,, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Goldin, J. & Nhamo, L. & Ncube, B. & Zvimba, J. N. & Petja, B. & Mpandeli, S. & Nomquphu, W. & Hlophe-Ginindza, S. & Greeff-Laubscher, M. R. & Molose, V. & Lottering, S. & Liphadzi, S. & Naidoo, D. & , 2022. "Resilience and sustainability of the water sector during the COVID-19 pandemic," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-14(3):148.
    4. Sylvester Mpandeli & Luxon Nhamo & Sithabile Hlahla & Dhesigen Naidoo & Stanley Liphadzi & Albert Thembinkosi Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2020. "Migration under Climate Change in Southern Africa: A Nexus Planning Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-14, June.
    5. Naidoo, Dhesigen & Nhamo, Luxon & Mpandeli, Sylvester & Sobratee, Nafisa & Senzanje, Aidan & Liphadzi, Stanley & Slotow, Rob & Jacobson, Michael & Modi, Albert T. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2021. "Operationalising the water-energy-food nexus through the theory of change," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    6. Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Luxon Nhamo & Sylvester Mpandeli & Charles Nhemachena & Aidan Senzanje & Nafisa Sobratee & Pauline Paidamoyo Chivenge & Rob Slotow & Dhesigen Naidoo & Stanley Liphadzi & Albe, 2019. "The Water–Energy–Food Nexus as a Tool to Transform Rural Livelihoods and Well-Being in Southern Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-20, August.
    7. Luxon Nhamo & Sylvester Mpandeli & Stanley Liphadzi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2022. "Securing Land and Water for Food Production through Sustainable Land Reform: A Nexus Planning Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, June.
    8. Luxon Nhamo & Bekithemba Ndlela & Sylvester Mpandeli & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2020. "The Water-Energy-Food Nexus as an Adaptation Strategy for Achieving Sustainable Livelihoods at a Local Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
    9. Matchaya, Greenwell & Nhamo, Luxon & Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso & Nhemachena, Charles, 2019. "An overview of water markets in southern Africa: an option for water management in times of scarcity," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 11(5):1-16..
    10. Simpson, G. B. & Jewitt, G. P. W. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe & Taguta, C. & Badenhorst, J., 2023. "An African perspective on the water-energy-food nexus," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-13:16842..
    11. Azzarri, Carlo & Nico, Gianluigi, 2022. "Sex-disaggregated agricultural extension and weather variability in Africa south of the Sahara," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    12. Mabhaudhi, T. & Nhamo, Luxon & Mpandeli, S. & Nhemachena, Charles & Senzanje, A. & Sobratee, N. & Chivenge, P. P. & Slotow, R. & Naidoo, D. & Liphadzi, S. & Modi, A. T., 2019. "The water–energy–food nexus as a tool to transform rural livelihoods and well-being in southern Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 16(16):1-20.
    13. Hornum, Sebastian Toft & Bolwig, Simon, 2021. "A functional analysis of the role of input suppliers in an agricultural innovation system: The case of small-scale irrigation in Kenya," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    14. Cao, Zhaodan & Zhu, Tingju & Cai, Ximing, 2023. "Hydro-agro-economic optimization for irrigated farming in an arid region: The Hetao Irrigation District, Inner Mongolia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    15. Ren, Dongyang & Xu, Xu & Engel, Bernard & Huang, Quanzhong & Xiong, Yunwu & Huo, Zailin & Huang, Guanhua, 2021. "A comprehensive analysis of water productivity in natural vegetation and various crops coexistent agro-ecosystems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    16. Wu, Zhangsheng & Li, Yue & Wang, Rong & Xu, Xu & Ren, Dongyang & Huang, Quanzhong & Xiong, Yunwu & Huang, Guanhua, 2023. "Evaluation of irrigation water saving and salinity control practices of maize and sunflower in the upper Yellow River basin with an agro-hydrological model based method," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    17. Zhang, Shulin & Su, Xiaoling & Singh, Vijay P & Ayantobo, Olusola Olaitan & Xie, Juan, 2018. "Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition analysis of changes in agricultural water use: a case study of the middle reaches of the Heihe River basin, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 422-430.
    18. Markose Chekol Zewdie & Michele Moretti & Daregot Berihun Tenessa & Zemen Ayalew Ayele & Jan Nyssen & Enyew Adgo Tsegaye & Amare Sewnet Minale & Steven Van Passel, 2021. "Agricultural Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia: A Stochastic Frontier Approach," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, March.
    19. El-Saied E. Metwaly & Hatim M. Al-Yasi & Esmat F. Ali & Hamada A. Farouk & Saad Farouk, 2022. "Deteriorating Harmful Effects of Drought in Cucumber by Spraying Glycinebetaine," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, December.
    20. Yang, Danni & Li, Sien & Kang, Shaozhong & Du, Taisheng & Guo, Ping & Mao, Xiaomin & Tong, Ling & Hao, Xinmei & Ding, Risheng & Niu, Jun, 2020. "Effect of drip irrigation on wheat evapotranspiration, soil evaporation and transpiration in Northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:8:p:1218-:d:1442071. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.