'ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY', AGRICULTURAL INTENSIFICATION AND WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Progress in achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) in Africa has been undermined by failure to reduce under-nutrition, yet efforts to increase agricultural output are circumscribed by indicators for MDG 7, particularly with regard to maintenance of forested areas and conservation of water resources. This implies that increasing agricultural production must be sought from agricultural intensification. The paper sets out the critical role that development of water resource management will play for agricultural intensification in Africa. It argues that past failure to invest in water for agriculture is now compounded by recent trends that are intensifying competition for land and water for agriculture. The paper concludes these are likely to increase uncertainty about prospects for improved nutrition that underpins the achievement of the MDGs in Africa.