Only 4 percent of arable land in sub-Saharan Africa is irrigated, using just 2 percent of the available water resources. Furthermore, 18 percent of the area equipped for irrigation is not utilized at all and the intensity of use varies between 50 percent and 80 percent. This highlights the huge potential available for intensifying and expanding irrigated area, provided that the investments required can be successfully mobilized. However, it must be noted that if investments in irrigation are to yield satisfactory returns, investments must also be made in a series of related activities. Current global figures for the amount of private investment in irrigation confirm that good returns can indeed be achieved. Prospects for sub-Saharan Africa would be far more favorable if public development assistance, particularly foreign direct investments, did not show declining trends.
This report deals with some experiences of a set of irrigation systems situated in the Republic of Niger, along both banks of the Niger River. All these systems draw water from the river through low-lift, electrically powered pumping stations, which have been installed by the Government of Niger over the past 30 years. Irrigation of this kind is not a tradition in Niger. The introduction of this technology caused considerable changes in the way of life of local communities.
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