Analysis of Upscaling of Irrigation Development in the White Volta sub-Basin

Abstract

There is great potential for expansion of irrigated agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. The average rate of expansion of the irrigated area needed to achieve the MDG Goal on eradication of extreme poverty and hunger is an unprecedented rate of 5%/year, however the current average rate of expansion is less than 2%/year. The achievement of this target requires strategic accelerated irrigation development. The upscaling of vegetable irrigation in the Upper East Region of Ghana and southern parts of Burkina Faso; all in the White Volta sub-basin within the past two decades is a bright example for harnessing strategies for accelerating irrigation growth across sub-Saharan Africa. The study investigates the irrigation expansion experienced in the White Volta sub-Basin and the drivers responsible for the growth. The study used data from farmer interviews, institutional interviews, field surveys and observations, ground-truthing; literature and satellite images of the study area (2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010). Irrigated areas and irrigation types (private-led and government-led) are observed from the satellite images and differentiated by colour for analysis. The satellite image analysis showed that private-led irrigation systems grew at a rate of 6.4% whiles the existing government-led irrigation schemes expanded their cultivated areas at annual rate of 5.9%. Private-led irrigation represents about 74% of total irrigation in the study area. The factors responsible for the past trend and additional factors are likely to increase irrigation development beyond the current growth rate in the near future.