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The article focuses on a research concerning water management in Africa funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and has been prepared for the Innovation Lab for Small-Scale Irrigation (ILSSI). The study focuses on gardens, whose main purpose is the production of food, as well as growing herbs and spices for home consumption. Other information related to water management for home gardens in the region is provided.

Background Small reservoirs are a critical mechanism to strengthen resilience and enhance rural livelihoods in Africa. They provide a range of benefits, including increased access to water in local communities, improved household food security, diversified livelihood options, female empowerment and enhanced entrepreneurial activities. As a result, governments, development agencies and the private sector have invested significant resources in constructing new or rehabilitating existing small reservoirs. However, a range of factors, including insufficient maintenance, rapid siltation and ineffective institutions, can weaken the performance of small reservoirs. Reconciling mixed evidence to generate a balanced picture - Despite existing data on various benefits and costs of small reservoirs in Africa, no comprehensive assessment of their impacts has been undertaken. Case studies yield important insights, but cannot be used individually to confidently generalize. This paper responds to the lack of comprehensive examination of the impacts of small reservoirs by undertaking a stock-take of available evidence to understand the frequency of reporting of various impacts, benefits and costs. A survey of available evidence provides the basis for more conclusive guidance on how to improve the performance of small reservoirs in Africa. Objectives and methods - This paper synthesizes available literature on the benefits, performance and challenges of small reservoirs, and provides recommendations that can inform future investment. The study compiled and classified more than 80 documents concerning about 4,000 small reservoirs in Africa, according to a set of basic, descriptive and explanatory parameters. Basic parameters describe a reservoir's name, location and investment status. Descriptive parameters capture the impacts of a reservoir (what happened) and explanatory parameters capture the determinants of the impact (why it happened). In addition, the study included field-based research on the conditions around a set of 10 small reservoirs in southern Zambia, which enabled more nuanced analysis and discussion of key findings. Field-based data were collected through conducting interviews on a set of key parameters including benefits, costs, degree of functionality, institutions and maintenance. Results from document analysis - Results from the desktop study show a range of benefits derived from small reservoirs. These benefits include improved reliability of access to domestic water and expanded irrigation water supply, as well as increased livestock watering and greater entrepreneurial activities. Further, positive impacts realized include improved household food security, increased household income, reduced out-migration and the empowerment of women. Identified costs were relatively fewer than benefits. Costs were limited to conflicts in communities on water and land use, membership fees for users, and negative health impacts arising from water-related diseases. The performance of small reservoirs is generally rated as mixed to poor. Operational lifespans of less than 10 years, and high water loss rates in small reservoirs illustrate this poor performance. Reasons for the poor performance include weak institutions, sedimentation, poor siting and inadequate maintenance. Results from fieldwork - The case study based on fieldwork in southern Zambia confirmed both the benefits and challenges of small reservoirs that emerged from the document analysis. Further, fieldwork identified that the short-term planning horizon for investments in small reservoirs, often driven by emergency response, contributes to a rapid decline in the functionality of small reservoir infrastructure, the primary factor for such an outcome being sedimentation. However, the advocacyoriented nature of investments in small reservoirs may create a positive narrative that eclipses their generally poor performance. More significantly, fieldwork provided evidence that suggests that reinvesting in old infrastructure might be more cost-effective than building a new reservoir, particularly since the structural quality of new small dams seems to be declining. Key messages - The results point to five key messages. First, small reservoirs produce a range of benefits that provide practical value to rural communities. Second, the performance of small reservoirs - measured through economic analysis, reservoir longevity or other means - is generally not spectacular. Third, the primary factor explaining the temporal decrease in reservoir lifespan is sedimentation - explained by a host of factors, including institutions. Fourth, rehabilitation appears to be a better investment than new dam construction. Fifth, the quality of small dam infrastructure may be declining. Conclusions - Ultimately, findings from this study suggest that rehabilitating existing reservoirs may be more efficient than building new infrastructure to gain the benefits of small reservoirs. At the same time, findings also point to broader lessons on the need to change the approach to small reservoir development and management. In other words, to consider adopting a long-term, more holistic approach (or model) to the construction and maintenance of small reservoirs that match the challenges associated with sustainably tapping the benefits of the water that they store. The following three points are worth mentioning in this regard: • It is time to adapt the design of advocacy-based, disaster-responsive investments in small reservoirs, by drawing more evidence-based, practically informed approaches. In practice, this may mean insistence on the achievement of certain benchmarks by local institutions, such as provision for the collection and management of recurring costs of controlling sedimentation. • The long-term approach needed for investments in sustainable small reservoirs will require formal institutions, presumably national small reservoir programs, to ensure sustainability by managing and maintaining infrastructure. • Regular monitoring of reservoirs after investment is critical to the success of a long-term approach to investments in small reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reliable supply of water is critical for agricultural intensification and yield improvement. Technological devices that lift, transport and apply water contribute to increased yield from improved crop varieties and high input cultivation. Using such devices to shift to high-value cultivation has become an important source of wealth accumulation in Asia and Africa. In particular, the increasing use of motor pumps is a significant contribution to the development of small-scale irrigation. The objective of this study was to identify and analyze the trajectories of technological innovations and uptake for agricultural water management in farming systems in Sri Lanka, with a special focus on identifying impacts, emerging issues and potential responses to the rapid proliferation of motor pumps in the intensification of agriculture in the country. The Government of Sri Lanka promoted the rapid adoption of water pumps through interventions such as the development of groundwater wells for agriculture; provision of subsidies and credit facilities for purchasing micro-irrigation equipment; and government policies on tax, tariffs and extension support. At the same time, the high profit margin realized from cash crop cultivation motivated farmers to invest in water lifting and related technologies. Finally, water scarcity and restrictions on the use of surface water, i.e., canals, prompted a shift to using waterlifting technologies to pump groundwater. The use of water pumps in agriculture has expanded the area under cultivation; increased cropping intensity, especially during the dry seasons; changed the cropping pattern from low-return rice cultivation to high-return cash crop cultivation; and enhanced household incomes. Expanded and intensified cultivation has provided more opportunities for women to participate in agriculture, generating additional income, and enhancing their purchasing power and decision-making at the household level. Some farmers do not have groundwater wells and water pumps because they lack the necessary capital to make the initial investment. Smallholder farmers, in particular, are reluctant to risk their limited income on new technologies. This may lead to the further marginalization of poor farmers. Inclusive intensification will require helping farmers to access irrigation technology, for example, through carefully targeted subsidies and access to credit. Using water pumps can provide benefits to both users and non-users, but uncontrolled groundwater extraction may also create new problems by putting enormous pressure on common property resources. The government will need to take on a dual role to both promote the inclusive growth of small-scale irrigation, and to prevent and mitigate its negative environmental impacts. This second role may include establishing a regulatory system, setting standards for well construction, and monitoring and enforcing standards on extraction and water quality. There is an urgent need for institutional measures and governance arrangements to guide and regulate groundwater irrigation, especially in the context of intensive cultivation using shallow aquifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a look at the social and environmental impact of the agricultural water management (AWM) solution, as part of the AgWater Solutions Project that was completed in Africa and Asia in 2012. It states that the Mkindo watershed in Tanzania features agro-pastoral lowlands, wetlands, and mountains. It also discusses the impact of AWM on hydrology.

The article offers a look at agricultural water management (AWM) options, as part of the AgWater Solutions Project that was completed in Africa and Asia in 2012. It states that community managed river diversion schemes contribute to water productivity and household income. It also presents information on the rural appraisals conducted by researchers.

The article presents the inventory of the water storages within the Abay Basin in Ethiopia. It highlights the major natural water reservoir under inventory including Finchaa, Koga reservoirs and Lake Tana. Meanwhile, it cites the planned construction of additional reservoirs for hydropower and agricultural irrigation. The soil moisture storage condition within the area is also discussed.

References for the articles published in the June 1, 2010 issue of "Inventory of Water Storage Types in the Blue Nile and Volta River Basins" are presented.

The article offers information on the geographical and hydrological features of Abay Basin in Ethiopia. It mentions that the said water basin is located in the Central Highlands in the country and cites its link with the Nile River. In addition, it notes the role of the said river in contributing huge amount of water in the basin by 62%. Moreover, the rainfall and groundwater conditions within the basin area are also noted.

Recent studies reveal that there are many differences in reported numbers of irrigated areas, especially in developing countries, and that significant knowledge gaps and uncertainties remain to inform investment decisions and policy making. This is particularly relevant in South Africa, where the National Development Plan (NDP) envisages to increase irrigated areas; yet there are uncertainties in reported information on irrigated areas, especially on informal irrigation. This report summarizes the findings of a collaborative effort by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) to map and assess irrigated areas in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. An assessment based on remote sensing was carried out to map agricultural areas in 2015 using a combination of Landsat and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data. The mapping process was supported with data from previous irrigated area mapping exercises by DAFF and three field ground truthing (GT) surveys jointly conducted with the partners. A literature review and analysis of irrigated area statistics showed gaps and inconsistencies in different government reporting lines to comprehensively include irrigated areas. The mapping based on remote sensing estimated in total 1.6 million hectares (Mha) of cropland in the province, with only 262,000 ha actually irrigated in the 2015 winter season. The center-pivot irrigation systems, usually with high capital inputs, were underutilized with only 47,000 ha (29%) actually irrigated out of 164,000 ha equipped with center pivots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article ponders the outcome of the AgWater Solutions Project that was completed in Africa and Asia in 2012. It emphasizes the importance of expanding and developing water management infrastructure at the farm level to improve the agricultural sector in such regions. It also offers information on conservation agriculture.

The article offers information on the water basins in Ethiopia and Ghana. It mentions that the two countries have struggled in improving the Abay and Volta basins for water supply. In addition, the two countries are both in need of water for irrigation, hydropower, and domestic use. The importance of rainwater harvesting to these two nations is also noted.

The article presents a background discussion on smallholder agricultural water management (AWM) in Africa and Asia. According to the author, an increasing number of smallholder farmers are finding ways to improve water management for agriculture to increase yields and outcome and diversify their cropping and livelihood options.

The article offers information on agricultural water management (AWM) techniques and technologies, as part of the AgWater Solutions Project that was completed in Africa and Asia in 2012.

The article offers a look at the smallholder agricultural water management process in Africa and Asia, as part of the AgWater Solutions Project that was completed in 2012. It identifies several African countries that participated in the project including Zambia, Ethiopia, and Ghana. It also explains the impact of market inefficiencies on the decision-making skills of farmers.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including the adverse effects of climate variability in sub-Saharan region, water scarcity in Africa, and the ailing condition of agriculture in the country.