Economic Opportunity Mailing List Archive

["Andy Bullock" <<address removed>>]

MessageSimon Howarth has commented on Martin Fowler's desire for clarity over 
which of the two statements were correct (I repeat for obvious reasons):

"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."

My response to Martin's question is a different one from Simon - namely that 
there is evidence of the improvements to small-scale agriculture by improved 
water control (where it is practised), but the absence of the widespread uptake 
of improved water control is a major obstacle to progress on (the very large 
number of) small farms.

Andy Bullock