IRRIGATION IN AFRICA .1. IRRIGATION - A VIABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

After first examining the factors influencing the size of the development, the paper provides an overview of the present levels of, and estimated potential for, irrigation agriculture in Africa south of the Sahara. The important contribution of small-scale schemes to the total irrigation area and their favourable economic costs and returns when compared with larger-scale schemes is clearly demonstrated. Figures are tabulated for estimated irrigated area and estimated potential in all the relevant countries, as well as of capital costs of selected irrigation projects. -after Author