Studying African Farmer-led Irrigation (SAFI), 2015-2017
This research project, funded by ESRC & DFID, brings together a team of social science researchers and irrigation scientists from the UK, Europe and Africa. The project seeks to understand if current investment by famers in irrigation can offer a model for broad-based economic growth in rural areas of Africa.
A systematic analysis of existing initiatives in Mozambique and Tanzania will inform policies to generate growth in agricultural productivity, give a greater understanding of social and economic consequences, of changing land and water rights, and the choices of technical and financial support required.
http://www.safi-research.org/
Unravelling the potential of farmer-led irrigation development in Mozambique (NWO-ARF), 2016-2019
Farmer-led innovation processes in irrigated agriculture in Africa are poorly understood even though they are believed to make a substantial contribution to rural and economic development, food security and poverty alleviation. In Mozambique more than 100,000 hectares of irrigation have been developed across dispersed small-scale farmers' initiatives, most of which are not recognized by the private sector, donors, and governments.
In this context, this research project aims to innovatively contribute to a better understanding the processes, triggers and impacts of these developments. Amongst others it aims to develop effective strategies and tools that foster and strengthen the unrealized potentials of farmers' own initiatives and their engagement with the private and public sector. The project thus aims to contribute to the further development of irrigated agriculture, both in Mozambique and beyond.