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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Irrigation in Africa: The Failure of Collective Memory and Collective Understanding
Authors:Diemer, GeertISNI
Vincent, LindenISNI
Year:1992
Periodical:Development Policy Review
Volume:10
Issue:2
Period:June
Pages:131-154
Language:English
Geographic terms:Subsaharan Africa
Africa
Subjects:technical cooperation
irrigation
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
Development and Technology
External link:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7679.1992.tb00009.x
Abstract:This paper critically reviews four studies documenting the experiences and concerns of various groups involved in funding or performing technical assistance in irrigation in Africa (the World Bank report by S. Barghouti and G. Le Moigne: 'Irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa: the development of public and private systems', 1990; the GRET (Groupe de recherche et d'échanges technologiques) text by P. Boda and C. Castellanet (ed.): 'La réhabilitation des périmètres irrigués', 1991; the CEGET (Centre d'études de géographie tropicale) publication by P. Vennetier (ed.): 'Eau et aménagement dans les régions inter-tropicales, 2 vols, 1990, 1991; and the ILRI (International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement) report by J. Aviron Violet et al.: 'The development of irrigated farming in the Sahel: irrigation policy limitations and farmer strategies', 1991). The paper criticizes the attitudes represented in these publications towards design procedures in African irrigation schemes, tenure issues, the profitability of irrigated agriculture, investments in irrigation, and the impact of economic reform on irrigated farming (structural adjustment and State disengagement, the role of planning and development institutions). The authors conclude that, in these technical assistance groups, the scope of policy debate and self-criticism remains extremely weak. Despite lip-service to a multidisciplinary approach, they have not been able to provide any balanced overview of the prospects in African irrigation. Bibliogr.
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