Statistics of the irrigation sector in West Africa on which, for example, FAO’s AQUASTAT database relies, consider only data of the "formal" irrigation sector (i.e. of actual or former governmental irrigation schemes). The extent and impact of non-formal irrigation, however, can regionally be more important as first data show. Around Kumasi, Ghana, for example, about 12,000 ha are under informal seasonal irrigation, while in the whole country only 8500 ha are under formal irrigation. The "informal" irrigation sector comprises smallholder irrigation by individuals or small farmer groups along peri-urban streams, in inland valleys, around small reservoirs or wells, using smaller schemes or just watering cans. The general lack of data on this sector, its size, importance and actual impact on food security and poverty alleviation constrains its recognition and support. |
The overall objective of the project is “to promote agricultural development, food security and poverty alleviation by recommending environmentally sound investment strategies based on a comparative and comprehensive assessment of the impact of informal vs. formal irrigation in selected countries of the Niger and Volta Basins in West Africa”. The geographical focus will be on Burkina Faso, Ghana and Mali. |
The project is built on well-established CGIAR-NARES partnerships in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali. It will benefit from (and later support) databases already in development by GLOWA-Volta, the West African Inland Valley Consortium (hosted by WARDA), FAO, and e.g. Ghana’s Irrigation Development Agency (GIDA).
The project was approved by the Challenge Program for Water & Food, but is not yet funded. IWMI started the work in 2005 with one PostDoc. The project is supposed to run for four years. |
