As climate change causes extended droughts and increasingly erratic rainfall in Africa, efficient management of the continent’s water resources has never been so important. The pressure placed on Africa’s agricultural systems by the growing population furthers the need for smart irrigation strategies to ensure food security. However, 62% of Africa’s crops are currently rain-fed.
To promote the implementation of evidence-based irrigation policies, the Malabo Montpellier Panel (MaMo) has published a new research report, Water-Wise: Smart Irrigation Strategies for Africa. The report includes nine policy recommendations covering key considerations, including the introduction of smart water regulations (e.g. to govern efficient maintenance of irrigation systems) and investment in the necessary infrastructure and technologies.
The
report is accompanied by six country case studies, which outline the lessons
that can be learned from successful irrigation policies across Africa. For
instance, through its National Irrigation Strategy, South Africa has committed
to increase the area of irrigated land by 50% over the next 10-20 years – the
policy has already supported 32,000 smallholders to irrigate their fields. MaMo
hopes that sharing such success stories will encourage the replication of
effective programmes across the continent.
Water-Wise: Smart Irrigation Strategies for Africa
By Malabo Montpellier Panel
International Food Policy Research Institute, 2018; 64 pp.
Interview with Karim El Aynaoui, managing director of the Policy Center for New South (PCNS) and member of the Malabo Montpellier (MaMo) Panel
