Revisiting dominant notions: A review of costs, performance and institutions of small reservoirs in sub-Saharan Africa
Citation:
Venot, J.-P.; de Fraiture, C.; Nti Acheampong, E. 2012. Revisiting dominant notions: A review of costs, performance and institutions of small reservoirs in sub-Saharan Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute. 39p. (IWMI Research Report 144). [doi:10.5337/2012.202]
This report investigates the dynamics of one of the most common agricultural water management practices of sub-Saharan Africa, i.e., small reservoirs. Small reservoirs dam permanent or temporary river flows and support multiple livelihood activities (livestock watering, crop cultivation, fisheries, small handicrafts, etc.) while providing water-related ecosystem services (soil and water conservation, flood and drought mitigation, etc.). Gathering evidence from four sub-Saharan countries, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia and Zambia, this report calls for revisiting our understanding and assessment of the costs, performance and institutions for the management of small reservoirs. A more holistic analytical approach is the first step towards an integrative governance framework. This, in turn, holds the promise of sustainable management of small reservoirs.
