Abstract:
In the last 40 years in sub-Saharan Africa, huge investments have been made in inland
valley (IV) development for agricultural production. Understanding the agricultural
and socioeconomic impacts of IV development may help develop strategies for modernization
and optimization of irrigation systems. A farmers’ perception approach was
used to analyze the impacts of IV development on agricultural and hydraulic performances
and on farmers’ socioeconomic conditions in the circle of Sikasso, Mali. Data
were collected through focus group discussions, field visits and participatory observations
in 37 inland valleys of which 17 were developed. The two main water control systems
observed in developed inland valleys were (1) controlled submersion with bunded
plots dedicated to rice and (2) spate irrigation regulated by weirs and cofferdams.
Compared to undeveloped inland valleys, controlled submersion and spate irrigation
expanded the cultivated area in the rainy season. In the dry season, crop extension was
observed only in spate irrigation schemes. Higher crop productivity was observed in
inland valleys located close to an urban market and in valleys cultivated during the
off-season. Spate irrigation is widespread in bigger inland valleys with more water
resources and is often associated with the cultivation of higher value off-season crops.
Consequently, we observed farmers had individual and collective investment capacity
in spate irrigation schemes than in controlled submersion and undeveloped inland
valleys. The study highlighted the importance of re-thinking the design of water control
facilities to enable crop diversification to improve the livelihoods of inland valleydependent
communities.
