March 2025
Special Issue on Transforming smallholder irrigation systems from dysfunctional to functional climate smart agricultural systems
Editorial »
Critical reflections on transforming smallholder irrigation systems from dysfunctional to functional climate smart agricultural systems
Henning Bjornlund, Karen Parry, Andre van Rooyen & Jamie Pittock
Research Articles
Reviewing the Green Revolution strategy in view of lessons from Mexico and India – Africa
Vibeke Bjornlund and Henning Bjornlund
Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Contact: Henning Bjornlund | Email: henning.bjornlund@anu.edu.au
Abstract
The appropriateness of the new Green Revolution strategy for Africa has been challenged and donors have been called on to withdraw support and fund alternative approaches. Any revision of the strategy needs to be based on an analysis of the production system underlying the revolution and the early experiences of its implementation in the Global South. This paper provides such an analysis based on the experiences from Mexico and India, finding that the strategy has benefited the Global North and agribusiness but failed smallholders in Africa. A paradigm shift is needed to focus on approaches to provide economic development in Africa.
Pages: 229–273
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2363954 (Open Access)
Adapting smallholder irrigation systems to extreme events: a case of the Transforming Irrigation in Southern Africa (TISA) project in Zimbabwe
Martin Moyoa, Thabani Dubea, Andre van Rooyenb, Henning Bjornlundc,d, Karen Parryd, Michael Wellingtond, Peter Ramshawd and Jamie Pittockd
aResilient Farm and Food Systems, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Bulawayo Office, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; bSocio-Economics, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; cUniSA Business School, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; dFenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Contact: Martin Moyo | Email: martin.moyo@icrisat.org
Abstract
Smallholder irrigation schemes are vulnerable to increased climate variability and change, particularly increased water stress. This paper explores whether the introduction of Agricultural Innovation Platforms and soil monitoring tools in smallholder irrigation schemes can improve the adaptive capacity of farmers and schemes in the Insiza District. Drawing on household survey and qualitative data, collected through the Transforming Irrigation in Southern Africa project, we analyse a comprehensive set of measures across four domains: field, household, community and markets. We find that social capacity and increased climate adaptation can be built with modest cost through combined social and technological interventions.
Pages: 274–297
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2423733 (Open Access)
Climate change adaptation benefits from rejuvenated irrigation farming systems in Mozambique
Miguel Tafulaa, Mário Chilundoa,b, Wilson de Sousaa, Henning Bjornlundc,d, Jamie Pittockd, Peter Ramshawd and Michael Wellingtond
aStudies and Projects, Instituto Nacional de Irrigação, Maputo, Mozambique; bDepartment of Rural Engineering, University Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique; cUniSA Business School, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; dFenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Contact: Miguel Tafula | Email: miguelitotafula@gmail.com
Abstract
Smallholder irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa suffers from the impacts of flooding and droughts, which are predicted to increase in frequency and severity. This increases the need to improve farmers’ adaptive capacity to climate change. This paper explores how agricultural innovation platforms and nutrient monitoring tools impact farmers’ adaptive capacity in a smallholder irrigation scheme in Mozambique. Through qualitative and quantitative data, we assess the impacts across four domains of adaptation: farm, household, community/scheme and markets. The multifaceted interventions improved farmers’ productivity, irrigation practices, scheme maintenance and livelihoods, thereby enhancing resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change in all assessed domains.
Pages: 298–324
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2436601 (Open Access)
Climate change adaptation benefits from rejuvenated irrigation systems at Kiwere and Magozi schemes in Tanzania
Makarius Mdemua,b, Luitfred Kissolya, Emmanuel Kimaroa, Henning Bjornlundc,d, Peter Ramshawd, Jamie Pittockd, Michael Wellingtond and Sophia Bongoleb
aSchool of Spatial Planning and Social Sciences, Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; bInstitute of Human Settlements Studies, Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; cUniSA Business School, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; dFenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
Contact: Makarius Mdemu | Emails: makmdemu@gmail.com; makarius.mdemu@aru.ac.tz
Abstract
We examine whether soil moisture and nutrient monitoring tools and Agricultural Innovation Platforms improve farmers adaptive capacity to climate change in the context of two small-scale irrigation schemes in Tanzania. Analysis of household surveys and farmer field books show that these interventions have significantly increased household income and diversification and reduced water use and conflicts. This has contributed to rejuvenating the schemes and increased the willingness to collaborate. Farmers within these schemes report less COVID-19 impact than farmers within surrounding schemes. We argue that the interventions have increased farmers’, and their communities’, resilience and capacity to adapt to climate change.
Pages: 325–349
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2397400 (Open Access)
The impact of COVID-19 and capacities of farmers in small-scale irrigation schemes in sub-Saharan Africa
Henning Bjornlunda,b, Karen Parrya, Luitfred Kissolyc, Thabani Dubed, Angeline Mujeyid, Wilson de Sousae, Jamie Pittocka and Vibeke Bjornlunda,b
aFenner School of Society and Environment, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; bUniSA Business School, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; cSchool of Spatial Planning and Social Sciences, Ardhi University, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; dInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; eNational Irrigation Institute Mozambique, Maputo, Mozambique
Contact: Henning Bjornlund | Email: henning.bjornlund@anu.edu.au
Abstract
Detrimental impacts from COVID-19 restrictions on households and agricultural productivity reinforce the need for resilience building and transformation in African food systems. Capitalizing on the opportunity to learn lessons from the ‘Transforming Small-scale Irrigation in Southern Africa’ (TISA) project (2013–2023), we summarize TISA’s outcomes and compare survey data on the perceived impact of COVID-19 between three schemes involved and three not involved with TISA. Overall, participating households had greater ability to manage the impacts of COVID-19. We highlight the need to build resilience in multiple interconnecting domains to enhance adaptability to crisis events that impact agricultural systems.
Pages: 350–373
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2421565 (Open Access)
Women, youth, and tail-end users: improving the livelihoods of disadvantaged irrigators in southern Africa
Karen Parrya, Henning Bjornlunda, Makarius Mdemub, Thabani Dubec and Miguel Tafulad
aFenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; bSchool of Spatial Planning and Social Sciences, Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; cMatopos Research Centre, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; dInstituto Nacional de Irrigação, Maputo, Mozambique
Contact: Karen Parry | Email: Karen.parry@anu.edu.au
Abstract
Tackling the inequalities that exist in sub-Saharan Africa is critical for sustainable development. In this paper we explore whether the ‘Transforming irrigation in southern Africa’ project’s interventions – Agricultural Innovation Platforms and soil monitoring tools – reduced inequity for women, youth and tail-end farmers on smallholder irrigation schemes. Our analysis focussed on access to plots, decision-making and economic well-being. We found evidence of equity improvements, though this was inconsistent across households and schemes, and complicated by COVID-19 disruptions. Equity can be an emergent outcome of complementary and participatory interventions that seek to improve profitability and functionality of irrigation schemes.
Pages: 374–401
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2435988 (Open Access)
Youth living around irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe: their livelihoods and role in the local economy
Karen Parry
Fenner School, The Australian National University, Adelaide, Australia
Contact: Karen Parry | Email: Karen.parry@anu.edu.au
Abstract
Young people in southern Africa have limited opportunities for productive employment. This research adds to the literature on young people living around smallholder irrigation schemes and their role in the local economy. Semistructured interviews were undertaken with young people, parents and practitioners from around Silalatshani irrigation scheme in Zimbabwe, and were analysed to provide insight into young people’s livelihoods and their livelihood pathways. The findings illustrate the importance of non-farm activities alongside irrigation and young people’s varied capacity to contribute to stimulating their local economy. Some implications for policy and development for young people around smallholder schemes are highlighted.
Pages: 402–427
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2423738 (Open Access)
Soil water sensors that display colours as thresholds for action
Richard Stirzakera and Matthew Driverb
aCSIRO Agriculture and Food, Black Mountain, Australia; bSolutech Pty Ltd, Lyneham, Australia
Contact: Richard Stirzaker | Email: richard.stirzaker@csiro.au
Abstract
This paper presents a suite of simplified soil water and solute monitoring tools that give output as colours, which are thresholds for action. Data is presented as colour patterns, which highlight water and solute dynamics, such as under and over irrigation, nitrate leaching and salt accumulation. Colour is a universal language that connects the knowledge domains of scientists and farmers into a unified learning system. Evidence from the field shows that smallholder farmers using these monitoring tools can interpret the colour patterns, leading to increased yields, savings in water and a reduction in conflict on irrigation schemes.
Pages: 428–446
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2322153 (Open Access)
Application of social network analysis in determining innovation information exchange at irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe
Xolile Ncube and Jamie Pittock
Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Contact: Xolile Ncube | Email: Xolile.Ncube@anu.edu.au
Abstract
Irrigators holding important structural positions around agricultural innovation social networks are identified for their potential to disseminate information facilitated by agricultural innovation platforms (AIPs). Social networks at three state owned, smallholder irrigation schemes were analysed utilizing the social network analysis approach. The majority of those holding important structural positions; i) held leadership positions, ii) were AIP members, iii) were female and older than 35 years and iv) had been scheme members for prolonged periods. We find that actors that hold important structural positions have the capability to disseminate innovation information leading to more effective adoption and scaling.
Pages: 447–465
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2443765 (Open Access)
Agricultural innovation platforms for scaling innovations – insights from the Transforming Irrigation in Southern Africa project
Xolile Ncubea, James Pittocka, Henning Bjornlunda and Andre van Rooyenb
aFenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; bInternational Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contact: Xolile Ncube | Email: Xolile.Ncube@anu.edu.au
Abstract
A major challenge in agricultural research for development is understanding how agricultural innovation platforms (AIPs) scale innovations to maximize environmental and socioeconomic benefits. Multilevel perspective and anchoring frameworks were used to assess the effectiveness of AIPs in anchoring innovations to go to scale under the Transforming Irrigation in Southern Africa project. Resultant scaling approaches, and whether and how scaling impacts were sustained are assessed at the sociotechnical regime. AIP collective capabilities ensured anchoring strategies and scaling approaches utilized by AIPs led to the embedding of innovations within the agricultural sociotechnical system. This resulted in changes in policy, behaviour and practices.
Pages: 466–488
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2345913 (Open Access)
Agroecology and circular food systems: decoupling natural resource use from rural development in sub-Saharan Africa?
Andre van Rooyena, Henning Bjornlundb, Martin Moyoc, Jamie Pittockb, Karen Parryb and Angeline Mujeyic
aInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; bFenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; cInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Resilient Farm and Food Systems, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Contact: Andre van Rooyen | Email: andre.vanrooyen@icrisat.org
Abstract
This paper proposes transitioning food systems in sub-Saharan Africa to circularity and greater diversity, using agroecology principles and shifting mental models of development from scale to scope. We argue that integrated dryland and irrigated agroecosystems can increase production efficiencies when aligned with local food demands and cultures. Synergies between food enterprises, their products, byproducts and waste will generate further enterprises and tighten resource cycles, closing nutrient, water and energy loops while reducing reliance on external inputs. This will generate more economic benefits per unit of land, labour and water, decoupling local economies from natural resource use and environmental impact.
Pages: 489–511
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2449224 (Open Access)