%O The project Increasing Irrigation Water Productivity in Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe
through on-Farm Monitoring, Adaptive Management and Agricultural Innovation Platforms (AIPs)
(FSC/2013/006) and its extension, renamed Transforming Irrigation in Southern Africa (LWR/2016/
137), were funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. Additional
funding was contributed by the Australian National University and the CGIAR Water Land and
Ecosystems programme.
The research reported here draws on the work of many dedicated academic colleagues, and
government and farmer partners from Australia, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and
Zimbabwe. We thank Peter Ramshaw and Njongenhle Nyoni for comments on a draft.
%K Africa, Agricultural innovation platforms,
Smallholder irrigation, Social learning, Soil-water
monitoring, Theory of change
%A J Pittock
%A H Bjornlund
%A A van Rooyen
%I Routledge
%V 36
%L icrisat11742
%J International Journal of Water Resources Development (TSI)
%N S1
%P S1-S19
%R doi:10.1080/07900627.2020.1819776
%D 2020
%X Drawing on the results of the Transforming Irrigation in Southern
Africa project, we assess positive transitions in smallholder irrigation
schemes. The project’s theory of change is evaluated. Soil
monitoring tools and agricultural innovation platforms were introduced
in five irrigation schemes in Mozambique, Tanzania and
Zimbabwe. The synergies between these interventions increased
both crop yields and profitability. This empowered farmers,
improved equity, and accelerated social learning and innovation.
The resulting, iterative cycles of change improved governance,
sustainability and socio-economic outcomes. The challenges of
scaling these interventions up and out are outlined.
%T Transforming failing smallholder irrigation schemes in Africa: a theory of change