Water for a food-secure world Ensuring success of irrigation in SSA Tim Williams Director, Africa IWMI

Water for a food-secure world Presentation outline Status of irrigation in SSA Main issues in irrigation in SSA Drivers of change Indicators of success of irrigation in SSA Role of CRP5 and Irrigation SRP

Water for a food-secure world Status of Irrigation in SSA Less than 4% of cultivated land is irrigated Average agricultural withdrawals are 3% of renewable water resources and groundwater use is < 20% of renewable supplies CAADP Pillar 1 aims to extend land under SLM and reliable water control systems by 20 million ha by 2015

Water for a food-secure world Main issues in irrigation in SSA Pluralistic irrigation system (large-scale vs. small-scale) Poor performance of public-sector managed large-scale irrigation schemes Lack of support for farmer-driven small-scale irrigation system

Water for a food-secure world Drivers of change Government policies Population growth, increased urbanization and changing diets Renewed interest in large-scale schemes by governments, donors and investors New opportunities for domestic and international trade in value added agricultural products

Water for a food-secure world Drivers of change (continued) Advances in science and technology Foreign direct investment in agricultural land Climate variability and climate change

Water for a food-secure world Indicators of success in SSA irrigation Expansion of irrigated area, particularly through small- scale irrigation systems Increased investment in irrigation development to improve agricultural productivity, food and nutrition security and ecosystem services AWM and irrigation as instruments to enhance resilience of African agriculture to climate change

Water for a food-secure world Indicators of success (continued) Effective gender-sensitive water rights systems for farmers and other water users Introduction of policies, economic incentives and institutional arrangements that will ensure continuous, long-term sustainable development of irrigation by smallholder farmers Improved human and institutional capacity to implement sustainable irrigation development programs

Water for a food-secure world Role of CRP5 and Irrigation SRP Assess irrigation potential Evaluate alternative technologies and institutions Analyze irrigation impacts on food and livelihood security, gender and ecosystem services Define and recommend economic, institutional and technological options to promote high-impact investment in irrigation and supporting services Assist in building capacity for effective management of irrigation systems

Water for a food-secure world Issues for discussion Where should the work be done? What new science can be applied? Which non-CG centres are working on irrigation that can be co- opted as collaborators? Which development investors are funding irrigation development and should be targeted? What strategies are needed to mobilize political support at continental, regional, national and local government level for irrigation development?