The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has found that in Africa and Asia, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of simple and inexpensive irrigation techniques by small scale farmers.
This is not at all surprising, and is in keeping with what one observes from any prolonged time in many of Africa's rural farming areas.
Population, climate change and many other pressures have made water much less available or accessible. Governments talk an awful lot at the problem, but rarely is there any action. For farmers for who water is life and livelihood, it is imperative to find solutions.
Various new technologies in recent years have brought down the cost of simple, rural-appropriate water pumps, making them an increasingly attractive and viable option for small scale farmers. Where central governments are very remote in terms of providing any assistance, these new developments give even cash-strapped farmers options survival options that were not available a few years ago.
News agency IRIN has the report.
African Agriculture
To ease your site search, article categories are at bottom of page.
September 19, 2012
Small scale farmers drive more uptake of irrigation
Categories irrigation
