Farmer-led irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa: building on farmer initiatives

The brief is based on a synthesis of findings from research on irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa, especially relatively recent findings

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Published: 30 July 2019

• Document Type: Briefing
• Theme: Agriculture
• Authors: Wiggins, S, Lankford, B

Abstract

This brief explores the policy implications for improving farmer-led irrigation (FLI) in sub-Saharan Africa, addressing 3 questions:

1. How much FLI in sub-Saharan Africa has there been by the 2010s? What has been developed, and how?

2. How successful has FLI been? What problems arise? How do such developments compare to irrigation initiated by public authorities?

3. How has public policy assisted or hindered FLI? What are the lessons for policy-makers?

The brief is based on a synthesis of findings from research conducted under the UK’s DFID-ESRC Growth Research Programme (DEGRP) and the wider literature on irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa, especially relatively recent findings.

Citation

Wiggins, S. and Lankford, B. (2019) Farmer-led irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa: building on farmer initiatives: DEGRP Policy Brief.

Link

Farmer-led irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa: building on farmer initiatives

Published 30 July 2019