Sub-Saharan agriculture reaps benefits of water harvesting
WHTs increase productivity and food security while minimising erosion and enhancing soil moisture conditions. In arid and semi-arid areas in sub-Saharan Africa, rainwater harvesting is a particularly important way to help rain-fed agriculture and rural development in general, contributing to poverty and hunger alleviation. A consortium of African and European institutions contributed to this field of research through the EU-funded project WHATER (Water harvesting technologies revisited: potentials for innovations, improvements and upscaling in Sub-Saharan Africa). Case studies in four African countries were used to define WHT guidelines across environmental and economic boundaries. Scientists revisited study sites in 10 African countries to evaluate knowledge gaps and current needs. Revisiting these sites showed that WHT developments were substantial and renewed respect for rainwater harvesting had emerged in Africa. However, WHTs differed from region to region and attempts at mechanisation were mostly unsuccessful. The consortium sought to achieve its goals through a combination of capacity building, research, intervention and dissemination activities. The result was that the potential and sustainability of rain fed agriculture in Africa was strengthened through a direct focus on both traditional water harvesting technologies and those introduced through the project. Food production and food security have also been improved by ensuring that the improved WHTs are ones that can address the people’s needs and are acceptable to them in a range of settings. Upscaling methods were also developed that ensured knowledge was shared and the benefits did not remain isolated. Furthermore, the livelihoods of rural communities were better secured, thanks to strengthened, more resilient farming systems. This allowed farming families to diversify into other forms of agriculture, which were more dependable in a changing environment. Investment in WHTs in rural farming areas may pay off by encouraging subsistence farmers to grow cash crops. However, in doing so, WHATER found that it is important to address the financial constraints faced by farmers interested in adopting WHTs. WHATER results are expected to improve sustainable uptake of the most promising WHTs by making sure the technologies address the needs of local people. Increasing the sustainability of rain-fed agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa will contribute to food security and poverty alleviation across the continent.
Keywords
Sub-Sahara Africa, water harvesting technologies, rainwater harvesting, WHATER, rain fed agriculture
