By Tinashe Lindel Dirwai, Petra Schmitter and Barbra Muzata
As the realities of climate change reshape agricultural landscapes across Africa, the importance of efficient water management and irrigation systems has never been more critical.
At the Excellence in Agronomy (EiA) Initiative, we recognize that the future of African agriculture depends on our ability to adapt to these changes by co-developing and implementing context-specific, regionally differentiated, and scale-appropriate innovative irrigation and agricultural water management solutions that enhance both productivity and resilience.
Irrigation is far more than a technical solution; it is a lifeline for millions of farmers across the continent and it is critical for maintaining ecosystem integrity.
By optimizing water use, effective irrigation systems have the potential to double or even triple crop yields, provide a vital buffer against the erratic weather patterns that increasingly threaten food security, and mitigate against over abstraction of groundwater, thus ensuring its sustainability.
The main message is clear: strengthening irrigation investments across Africa is essential for adapting to the yield instabilities brought on by climate change.
However, this requires more than just expanding irrigation infrastructure—it demands reconfiguring and better designing existing irrigation schemes to achieve the desired outcomes. Many current systems are outdated or inefficient, and without significant improvements, the full potential of irrigation as an adaptation pathway will not be realized.
At EiA, we are deeply committed to advancing this agenda of driving the agricultural transformations needed to secure a resilient and food-secure future for Africa. Our work is closely linked to the climate resilience strategies that are vital for Africa’s future. Our work in irrigation is not just about deploying technologies; it is about empowering farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the face of climate change.
By focusing on scalable, context-specific solutions, we aim to make a lasting impact on African agriculture. Through our new collaboration with the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems, we are spearheading efforts to redesign and optimize irrigation schemes across the continent.
This initiative, in partnership with leading research institutions such as the University of Nebraska, is focused on delivering cutting-edge, context-specific irrigation and mechanization solutions that can be scaled up to meet the needs of African farmers.
Ultimately, the path to resilient and productive agriculture in Africa lies in smarter irrigation investments. By focusing on innovative designs and effective implementation, EiA is ensuring that irrigation becomes a powerful tool for climate adaptation, securing food systems, and boosting agricultural productivity for generations to come.