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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Developing Basement Aquifers to Generate Economic Benefits: A Case Study from Southeast Zimbabwe |
Authors: | Waughray, D.K. Lovell, C.J. Mazhangara, E. Mazhangara, F. |
Year: | 1998 |
Periodical: | World Development |
Volume: | 26 |
Issue: | 10 |
Period: | October |
Pages: | 1903-1912 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Zimbabwe |
Subjects: | rural economy hydrology horticulture Development and Technology Economics and Trade Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Women's Issues agriculture economics |
External link: | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(98)00086-2 |
Abstract: | This paper analyses the improvements to the rural economy in parts of Masvingo Province, southeast Zimbabwe, which resulted from the creation of splash-irrigated community vegetable gardens around collector wells. These wells were installed as part of a pilot project to examine new approaches for improving water and food security in dryland areas of sub-Saharan Africa underlain by cristalline basement aquifers. Seven water points and half-hectare community vegetable garden schemes were subsequently established during 1991-1995 in the Zaka and Chivi districts. Two further schemes were constructed by the NGO 'Plan International', to the east of the pilot project sites. The pilot project ended in October 1996. Although the original objective of the project was technical, after five years of implementation the pilot project provided a stream of economic benefits for participating communities through the productive use of groundwater. This benefit stream, though relatively small, is reliable and accrues particularly to women in the household. Critically, the financial benefits are being reinvested to promote diversification into other income-generating activities. Bibliogr., notes, sum. |