irrigation

This special issue journal aims to compile a series of insights related to innovation in irrigated agriculture. It became apparent that efforts to advance innovation for smallholder irrigated farming must remain a priority. Further emphasis should also be given to learning how to innovate the enabling environment itself. The key challenge will be to involve policy and decision makers. »

Please download the factsheet with final findings of this Applied Research Fund Call 2 project. »

This blog describes a study that demonstrated how rice and wheat can be grown using 40 percent less water through an innovative combination of existing irrigation and cropping techniques. Rice and wheat grown using a sub-surface drip fertigation system, combined with conservation agriculture approaches used at least 40 percent less water than flood irrigation for the same amount of yields, and is still cost-effective for farmers. »

This paper reviews the evidence available on the provision of financing for African smallholder farmers to purchase irrigation equipment such as pumps, pipes and drip irrigation systems. Based on both case studies and several systematic reviews of the literature, it finds that the outcomes and impacts on poverty, gender equity and broader economic development are mixed at best. »

This paper complements the literature on gender and technology adoption, which largely focuses on reasons for low rates of female technology adoption, by shifting attention to what happens within a household after it adopts a technology. »

This report aims to answer the question: “How can Malawi better leverage its smallholder agriculture sector to improve nutrition?”  A critical message is the need to focus more strongly on diet quality as key goal for leveraging agriculture for improved nutrition and health.  »