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Understanding smallholder irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: results of a sample survey from nine countries

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  • Tushaar Shah
  • Shilp Verma
  • Paul Pavelic

Abstract

Smallholder irrigation is emerging as a development priority in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a survey of 1554 smallholders from nine countries, this paper compares rainfed farming with gravity-flow, manual-lift and motor-pump irrigation. Motor-pump-irrigation farmers reported the highest net value added per acre and per family worker, with gravity-flow and manual-irrigation farmers earning marginally more than rainfed-only farmers. In addition to making affordable pumps more readily available, improving the availability of working capital, enhancing security of tenure and ensuring the availability of affordable fuel are all likely to accelerate smallholder irrigation development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Tushaar Shah & Shilp Verma & Paul Pavelic, 2013. "Understanding smallholder irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: results of a sample survey from nine countries," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(6), pages 809-826, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rwinxx:v:38:y:2013:i:6:p:809-826
    DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2013.843843
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tushaar Shah & Babara Van Koppen & Douglas Murrey & Marna de Lange & Madar Samad, 2002. "Institutional Alternatives in African Smallholder Irrigation: Lessons from International Experience with Irrigation Management Transfer," IWMI Research Reports H 30202, International Water Management Institute.
    2. Brown, E.P. & Nooter, R., 1992. "Successful Small-Scale Irrigation in the Sahel," Papers 171, World Bank - Technical Papers.
    3. Eguavoen, I., 2011. "Digging, damming or diverting? Small-scale irrigation in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia," IWMI Working Papers H044597, International Water Management Institute.
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    1. de Bont, Chris & Komakech, Hans C. & Veldwisch, Gert Jan, 2019. "Neither modern nor traditional: Farmer-led irrigation development in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 15-27.
    2. Raymond van Der Wijngaart & John Helming & Claire Jacobs & Pedro Andres Garzon Delvaux & Steven Hoek & Sergio Gomez y Paloma, 2019. "Irrigation and irrigated agriculture potential in the Sahel: The case of the Niger river basin: Prospective review of the potential and constraints in a changing climate," JRC Research Reports JRC108657, Joint Research Centre.
    3. Dessalegn, Mengistu & Merrey, D. J., 2014. "Is ‘Social Cooperation’ for traditional irrigation, while ‘Technology’ is for motor pump irrigation?," IWMI Reports 201004, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Georgia D. Van de Zande & Fiona Grant & Carolyn Sheline & Susan Amrose & Jeffery Costello & Aditya Ghodgaonkar & Amos G. Winter V, 2024. "Design and Evaluation of a Precision Irrigation Tool’s Human–Machine Interaction to Bring Water- and Energy-Efficient Irrigation to Resource-Constrained Farmers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-22, September.
    5. Cobbing, Jude & Hiller, Bradley, 2019. "Waking a sleeping giant: Realizing the potential of groundwater in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 597-613.
    6. 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.
    7. Dong-Gill Kim & Elisa Grieco & Antonio Bombelli & Jonathan E. Hickman & Alberto Sanz-Cobena, 2021. "Challenges and opportunities for enhancing food security and greenhouse gas mitigation in smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa. A review," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(2), pages 457-476, April.
    8. Mamudu Abunga Akudugu & Katherine Kaunza-Nu-Dem Millar & Margaret Atosina Akuriba, 2021. "The Livelihoods Impacts of Irrigation in Western Africa: The Ghana Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-13, May.
    9. Anam Munawar & Namra Ghaffar & Hafsah Batool, 2022. "Advancements in Irrigation System in District Charsadda Through Latest Technique," International Journal of Agriculture & Sustainable Development, 50sea, vol. 4(1), pages 9-13, February.

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