Promoting small-scale irrigation and best water management practices to improve livelihood resilience in sub-Saharan Africa

Project Description

In collaboration with national agricultural research systems, ICBA is implementing a follow-on project in four sub-Saharan African countries aimed at improving agricultural production and income for smallholder farmers using small-scale irrigation technologies. The project is introducing low-cost and effective irrigation systems to improve crop yield and water use efficiency.

With a goal to involve 1,000 farmers in each of the four countries, ICBA established demonstration fields using Californian systems and solar pumps. The demonstration field for fodder production was gradually expanded to 25 hectares in each country.

The project will also develop policies to encourage investments in these technologies by farmers. It also has a capacity development component, intending to indirectly benefit 20,000 farmers. 

The project’s main goal is to create an investment plan to promote small-scale irrigation technologies and best water management practices among farmers to improve their food security and livelihood resilience. It will help to combat hunger, reduce poverty, and achieve economic growth in the region.

Research Innovation Theme
  • Management of natural resources in marginal environments
  • Climate change modelling and adaptation
  • Crop improvement and sustainable production
Project SDGs
SDG 1: No poverty
SDG 2: Zero hunger
SDG 13: Climate action
Beneficiaries
4,000 farmers directly and 20,000 farmers indirectly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Senegal
Funder(s)
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
Duration
September 2021 - December 2024
Project Lead

Dr. Asad Qureshi (a.qureshi@biosaline.org.ae)

Project Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Project Countries
Burkina Faso
Mali
Niger
Senegal
Partner(s)
  • Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA) in Burkina Faso
  • Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) in Mali
  • Regional Center of Agronomic Research of Tahoua in Niger
  • Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA) in Senegal