This study reviews the present state of irrigated agriculture in SSA with special reference to its contribution to food production. It examines the results of some past investments in irrigation schemes and from the results it seeks to identify the various forms of irrigation development which are likely to be most appropriate to regional needs in the future. For this latter purpose irrigation is considered in the widest sense: not only as any human action which can influence the natural flow of water to or from the farmer's crop, but also as those forms of agriculture which take advantage of naturally rising or falling water levels for crop production.

Text in English