Rainwater harvesting and management in rainfed agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa - A review

被引:172
作者
Biazin, Birhanu [1 ,2 ]
Sterk, Geert [3 ]
Temesgen, Melesse [4 ]
Abdulkedir, Abdu [1 ]
Stroosnijder, Leo [2 ]
机构
[1] Hawassa Univ, Wondo Genet Coll Forestry & Nat Resources, Shashemene, Ethiopia
[2] Wageningen Univ, Land Degrad & Dev Grp, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands
[3] Univ Utrecht, Dept Phys Geog, NL-3508 TC Utrecht, Netherlands
[4] Univ Addis Ababa, Dept Civil Engn, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
关键词
Sub-Saharan Africa; Water scarcity; Rainfed agriculture; Rainwater harvesting; Supplemental irrigation; DRY-SPELL MITIGATION; TIGRAY NORTHERN ETHIOPIA; COST DRIP IRRIGATION; SAND STORAGE DAMS; WATER CONSERVATION; SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION; NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT; SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE; POTSHINI CATCHMENT; CROP PRODUCTIVITY;
D O I
10.1016/j.pce.2011.08.015
中图分类号
P [天文学、地球科学];
学科分类号
07 ;
摘要
Agricultural water scarcity in the predominantly rainfed agricultural system of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is more related to the variability of rainfall and excessive non-productive losses, than the total annual precipitation in the growing season. Less than 15% of the terrestrial precipitation takes the form of productive 'green' transpiration. Hence, rainwater harvesting and management (RWHM) technologies hold a significant potential for improving rainwater-use efficiency and sustaining rainfed agriculture in the region. This paper outlines the various RWHM techniques being practiced in SSA, and reviews recent research results on the performance of selected practices. So far, micro-catchment and in situ rainwater harvesting techniques are more common than rainwater irrigation techniques from macro-catchment systems. Depending on rainfall patterns and local soil characteristics, appropriate application of in situ and micro-catchment techniques could improve the soil water content of the rooting zone by up to 30%. Up to sixfold crop yields have been obtained through combinations of rainwater harvesting and fertiliser use, as compared to traditional practices. Supplemental irrigation of rainfed agriculture through rainwater harvesting not only reduces the risk of total crop failure due to dry spells, but also substantially improves water and crop productivity. Depending on the type of crop and the seasonal rainfall pattern, the application of RWHM techniques makes net profits more possible, compared to the meagre profit or net loss of existing systems. Implementation of rainwater harvesting may allow cereal-based smallholder farmers to shift to diversified crops, hence improving household food security, dietary status, and economic return. The much needed green revolution and adaptations to climate change in SSA should blend rainwater harvesting ideals with agronomic principles. More efforts are needed to improve the indigenous practices, and to disseminate best practices on a wider scale. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved,
引用
收藏
页码:139 / 151
页数:13
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