Using nature-based water storage for smallholder irrigated agriculture in African drylands: Lessons from frugal innovation pilots in Mozambique and Zimbabwe

Duker, A.; Cambaza, C.; Saveca, P.; Ponguane, S.; Mawoyo, T. A.; Hulshof, M.; Nkomo, L.; Hussey, S.; van der Zaag, P.

doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2020.02.010

Using nature-based water storage for smallholder irrigated agriculture in African drylands

Title

Using nature-based water storage for smallholder irrigated agriculture in African drylands: Lessons from frugal innovation pilots in Mozambique and Zimbabwe

Author

Duker, A. (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education)
Cambaza, C. (Instituto Superior Politécnico De Gaza, Chókwè)
Saveca, P. (Instituto Superior Politécnico De Gaza, Chókwè)
Ponguane, S. (Instituto Superior Politécnico De Gaza, Chókwè)
Mawoyo, T. A. (Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement)
Hulshof, M. (Acacia Water)
Nkomo, L. (Dabane Trust, Bulawayo)
Hussey, S. (Dabane Trust, Bulawayo)
van der Zaag, P. (TU Delft Water Resources; IHE Delft Institute for Water Education)

Date

2020

Abstract

Alluvial aquifers in seasonal rivers are a yet underutilised resource in many (semi-)arid regions of Africa. These so-called sand river aquifers provide nature-based water storage within easy reach because they are shallow. They form a significant potential renewable source of water for irrigation development. Innovative approaches and solutions are needed to sustainably increase productive use of this resource to enhance rural livelihoods. The A4Labs action research explores the potential and pitfalls of introducing solutions designed for individual smallholder farmers. This entails innovation in three domains: the technology used (manually-installed shallow well-points in or next to a sand river combined with solar-powered water pumps), the arrangement (individual smallholder farmers), and the purpose (market-oriented farming). Pilots were established in the Limpopo river basin in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Monitoring and assessment are ongoing, but preliminary findings indicate that successful adoption of the approach was not constrained by water availability. Despite the fact that these pilots were established during two subsequent drought years, there was no difficulty in accessing freshwater in sufficient quantity. Instead, successful adoption depends on previous farming experience, market access, and the possibility to grow adaptively in terms of technology, scale and financial risks. In addition, establishing an individual farm to grow cash crops requires acceptance and new skills, as irrigation for smallholder farmers in Africa has traditionally been framed as a communal activity in “collective” irrigation schemes with strong support by outside agencies, and with the well-known collective action challenges. This action research has also estimated that the potential for upscaling this innovation in the Limpopo river basin is significant. Our innovative solution for accessing water stored in shallow alluvial aquifers can start small, is within reach of smallholder farmers (initial investment being less than US$1,000/0.2 ha), and is scalable as farmers can gradually improve their system and expand. Moreover, the solution allows for the application of “adaptive development pathways” at the river-stretch scale.

Subject

Africa
Farmer-Led irrigation
Frugal innovation
Sand river aquifers
Solar-Powered irrigation development

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:d8e97ac9-551d-4b6b-8b67-12ac69e053b6

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.02.010

ISSN

1462-9011

Source

Environmental Science & Policy, 107, 1-6

Part of collection

Institutional Repository