Policy guide to improve water use efficiency in small-scale agriculture

Abstract

According to this report, water use efficiency (WUE) is a vital concept in ensuring sustainable water management, food security, poverty alleviation and decent livelihoods. Despite significant investments in irrigation development in sub-Saharan Africa - where it is estimated that 80 per cent of farms are cultivated by smallholders - farmers and decision-makers still face shortcomings in scheme performance and water delivery services. Better policies are needed to address these problems while taking into account the crosscutting impacts of water management. This is particularly important in countries where the majority of the population is reliant on agriculture, and where agriculture accounts for a high share of water consumption. As available water resources have a direct impact on livelihoods, the effective use of water is at the core of development and pro-poor strategies. The policy guide is based on the results of the FAO project “Strengthening Agricultural Water Efficiency and Productivity at the African and Global Level”, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.