Economic Opportunity Mailing List Archive

["Martin Fowler" <<address removed>>]

Dear All,

I have found the e-forum contributions most interesting and useful.

I was struck by the relevance to our work in Uganda of Michael and Merle 
Lipton's plea for focus on Plan A.  If you have not yet read it and want to 
prioritise those unread contributions currently languishing in your In-Box, go 
straight to the Liptons' piece!
 
However, whilst the Lipton's state, ".....especially since absence of water 
control is the main obstacle to progress on small farms in Africa", I was 
reminded of John Dixon's words in his contribution of the preceding day, 
"However, there is increasing evidence of very substantial food production 
dividends through better management of water in non-irrigated areas, especially 
in Africa. There is considerable evidence that runoff farming and other forms 
of rainwater harvesting not only increase yields in many instances, but also 
minimise yield reductions in dry years and enable, in some areas, 
diversification to higher value crops...". 

It is important that we know which statement is correct - and I do appreciate 
that the answer will, to some extent, be country-specific - if we are to design 
and implement the most effective Plan A.
 
Regards,
 
Martin Fowler
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Entebbe
Uganda