| Title | Irrigated Water and its role in Circular agri-food systems in SSA |
|---|---|
| ID_Doc | 68970 |
| Authors | van Rooyen, A; Bjornlund, H; Pittock, J; Parry, K |
| Title | Irrigated Water and its role in Circular agri-food systems in SSA |
| Year | 2022 |
| Published | |
| Abstract | The developing world and sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, are facing numerous challenges: food security, poor nutrition, environmental degradation, social and economic inequalities, and slow economic growth. Agricultural production must increase to address these challenges, while also responding to increased demand for food. Small-scale irrigation is crucial to increasing food production. However, schemes often fail as development has focused on infrastructure and neglected critical socio-economic elements of the system. Building on extensive research that has improved productivity and livelihoods on small-scale irrigation schemes in Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, this paper argues that these schemes can play a significant role in transforming local economies. A new irrigation development paradigm is needed that views schemes as a central element around which circular food systems and associated economies can develop. Departing from a linear food systems approach, our paper summarizes the concept of circularity in agri-food systems and the key tangible and intangible resources that need sustainable management: water, soil and nutrients, biomass and carbon, energy, finances, and information. We outline a value proposition for small-scale schemes that is underpinned by socio-ecological transformation theory and the concept of social, institutional, and technical leverage points. Our proposal integrates recently published strategies on the development of innovative circular business models, and combines this with personal experience that multi-stakeholder platforms can be harnessed to structure and guide innovation and foster private sector involvement. Using an integrated systems approach, the small-scale irrigation sector can contribute to rural economic growth and agricultural production challenges. |
Similar Articles
| ID | Score | Article |
|---|---|---|
33506
|
Chikozho, C Policy and institutional dimensions of small-holder farmer innovations in the Thukela River Basin of South Africa and the Pangani River Basin of Tanzania: A comparative perspective(2005)Physics And Chemistry Of The Earth, 30.0, 11-16 | |
| 1595
|
Duncan, AJ; Ayantunde, A; Blummel, M; Amole, T; Padmakumar, V; Moran, D Applying circular economy principles to intensification of livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa(2023)Outlook On Agriculture, 52, 3 | |
| 32789
|
Clay, N; Zimmerer, KS Who is resilient in Africa's Green Revolution? Sustainable intensification and Climate Smart Agriculture in Rwanda(2020) | |
| 68565
|
Falchetta, G; Semeria, F; Tuninetti, M; Giordano, V; Pachauri, S; Byers, E Solar irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa: economic feasibility and development potential(2023)Environmental Research Letters, 18, 9 | |
| 71659
|
Falchetta, G; Adeleke, A; Awais, M; Byers, E; Copinschi, P; Duby, S; Hughes, A; Ireland, G; Riahi, K; Rukera-Tabaro, S; Semeria, F; Shendrikova, D; Stevanato, N; Troost, A; Tuninetti, M; Vinca, A; Zulu, A; Hafner, M A renewable energy-centred research agenda for planning and financing Nexus development objectives in rural sub-Saharan Africa(2022) | |
| 28800
|
Dziedzic, M; Gomes, PR; Angilella, M; El Asli, A; Berger, P; Charmier, AJ; Chen, YC; Dasanayake, R; Dziedzic, R; Ferro, F; Huising, D; Knaus, M; Mahichi, F; Rachidi, F; Rocha, C; Smith, K; Tsukada, S International circular economy strategies and their impacts on agricultural water use(2022) | |
| 4522
|
Clube, RKM; Hazemba, M From waste to resource: demystifying the policy challenges and identifying opportunities for a circular economy in Zambia(2024) | |
| 3982
|
Kristensen, DK; Kjeldsen, C; Thorsoe, MH Enabling Sustainable Agro-Food Futures: Exploring Fault Lines and Synergies Between the Integrated Territorial Paradigm, Rural Eco-Economy and Circular Economy(2016)Journal Of Agricultural & Environmental Ethics, 29, 5 |