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Revisiting dominant notions: a review of costs, performance and institutions of small reservoirs in sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Venot, Jean-Philippe
  • de Fraiture, Charlotte
  • Nti Acheampong, Ernest

Abstract

This report investigates the dynamics of one of the most common agricultural water management practices of sub-Saharan Africa, i.e., small reservoirs. Small reservoirs dam permanent or temporary river flows and support multiple livelihood activities (livestock watering, crop cultivation, fisheries, small handicrafts, etc.) while providing water-related ecosystem services (soil and water conservation, flood and drought mitigation, etc.). Gathering evidence from four sub-Saharan countries, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia and Zambia, this report calls for revisiting our understanding and assessment of the costs, performance and institutions for the management of small reservoirs. A more holistic analytical approach is the first step towards an integrative governance framework. This, in turn, holds the promise of sustainable management of small reservoirs.

Suggested Citation

  • Venot, Jean-Philippe & de Fraiture, Charlotte & Nti Acheampong, Ernest, 2012. "Revisiting dominant notions: a review of costs, performance and institutions of small reservoirs in sub-Saharan Africa," IWMI Research Reports 137587, International Water Management Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iwmirr:137587
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.137587
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Debray, Alix & Dehouck, Lucile & Millock, Katrin & Ruyssen, Ilse, 2026. "Does irrigation reduce migration intentions after drought? Evidence from West Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    2. repec:iwt:worppr:h048782 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. de Fraiture, Charlotte & Kouali, Gael Ndanga & Sally, Hilmy & Kabre, Priva, 2014. "Pirates or pioneers? Unplanned irrigation around small reservoirs in Burkina Faso," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 212-220.
    4. Bekoe, Joseph & Balana, Bedru B. & Nimoh, Fred, 2021. "Social cost-benefit analysis of investment in rehabilitation of multipurpose small reservoirs in northern Ghana using an ecosystem services-based approach," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    5. Unknown, 2012. "Investing in agricultural water management to benefit smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. AgWater Solutions Project country synthesis report," IWMI Research Reports 158354, International Water Management Institute.
    6. Jean‐Philippe Venot & Floriane Clement, 2013. "Justice in development? An analysis of water interventions in the rural South," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 37(1), pages 19-30, February.
    7. Michael Kossivi Tamekloe & Kenichi Matsui, 2024. "Smallholder rice and vegetable farmers’ constraints to adopt small-scale irrigation in the South Tongu District, Ghana," International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research, Malwa International Journals Publication, vol. 10(04), August.
    8. Sekyi-Annan, Ephraim & Tischbein, Bernhard & Diekkrüger, Bernd & Khamzina, Asia, 2018. "Performance evaluation of reservoir-based irrigation schemes in the Upper East region of Ghana," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 134-145.
    9. de Fraiture, Charlotte & Giordano, Meredith, 2014. "Small private irrigation: A thriving but overlooked sector," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 167-174.
    10. Ayantunde, Augustine A. & Cofie, Olufunke. & Barron, Jennie, 2018. "Multiple uses of small reservoirs in crop-livestock agro-ecosystems of Volta basin: Implications for livestock management," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 81-90.
    11. Jones, Sarah K. & Boundaogo, Mansour & DeClerck, Fabrice A. & Estrada-Carmona, Natalia & Mirumachi, Naho & Mulligan, Mark, 2019. "Insights into the importance of ecosystem services to human well-being in reservoir landscapes," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).

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