eprintid: 11742
rev_number: 11
eprint_status: archive
userid: 3170
dir: disk0/00/01/17/42
datestamp: 2021-03-15 05:29:54
lastmod: 2021-03-15 05:29:54
status_changed: 2021-03-15 05:29:54
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
creators_name: Pittock, J
creators_name: Bjornlund, H
creators_name: van Rooyen, A
icrisatcreators_name: van Rooyen, A
affiliation: Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT
affiliation: School of Commerce, University of South Australia, Adelaide
affiliation: ICRISAT (Bulawayo)
country: Australia
country: Zimbabwe
title: Transforming failing smallholder irrigation schemes in Africa: a theory of change
ispublished: pub
subjects: SM1
subjects: s2.11
subjects: s23
subjects: s31
subjects: s4004
divisions: CRPS5
full_text_status: public
keywords: Africa, Agricultural innovation platforms,
Smallholder irrigation, Social learning, Soil-water
monitoring, Theory of change
note: 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.
abstract: 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.
date: 2020-10
date_type: published
publication: International Journal of Water Resources Development (TSI)
volume: 36
number: S1
publisher: Routledge
pagerange: S1-S19
id_number: doi:10.1080/07900627.2020.1819776
refereed: TRUE
issn: 0790-0627
official_url: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2020.1819776
related_url_url: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=10.1080%2F07900627.2020.1819776&btnG=
related_url_type: pub
funders: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
funders: Australian National University
funders: CGIAR Program on Water, Land and Ecosystem
citation:   Pittock, J and Bjornlund, H and van Rooyen, A  (2020) Transforming failing smallholder irrigation schemes in Africa: a theory of change.  International Journal of Water Resources Development (TSI), 36 (S1).  S1-S19.  ISSN 0790-0627     
document_url: http://oar.icrisat.org/11742/1/07900627.2020.pdf