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Smallholder irrigation is emerging as a development priority in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a survey of 1554 smallholders from nine countries, this paper compares rainfed farming with gravity-flow, manual-lift and motor-pump irrigation. Motor-pump-irrigation farmers reported the highest net value added per acre and per family worker, with gravity-flow and manual-irrigation farmers earning marginally more than rainfed-only farmers. In addition to making affordable pumps more readily available, improving the availability of working capital, enhancing security of tenure and ensuring the availability of affordable fuel are all likely to accelerate smallholder irrigation development in Sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the studies on the groundwater irrigation (GWI) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to counter famines and droughts and to improve food security. The study consists of the knowledge on the GWI in SSA, estimation of groundwater resource in several regions, and surveys on multi-country smallholders on GWI. It adds that the studies will provide relevant scientific information which addresses livelihood enhancement, agrarian poverty, and groundwater management issues in SSA.