African Petroleum Engineering | 20 November 2009
Design of Low-Cost Irrigation Systems for Drought-Prone Areas in Mali
M, o, h, a, m, e, d, D, i, o, p, ,, S, a, l, i, m, a, t, a, T, o, u, r, e
Abstract
Irrigation systems are essential for sustaining agriculture in drought-prone areas of Mali. The country faces significant water scarcity, particularly during dry seasons when traditional irrigation methods fail to meet crop demands. A mixed-method approach combining geospatial analysis, hydrological modelling, and cost-benefit assessments was employed. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) were utilised to identify optimal water distribution networks, while SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) was used for simulation of crop yield under different irrigation scenarios. The geospatial analysis identified 150 km² of suitable land for low-cost irrigation systems. Simulation results showed a potential increase in maize yields by up to 20% with optimal water management strategies, which translated into an estimated financial benefit of $35,000 per year. The designed irrigation systems are expected to significantly improve agricultural productivity and resilience against droughts in Mali’s vulnerable regions. Further research is recommended to validate these findings through pilot projects. Investment in infrastructure development for the low-cost irrigation systems should be prioritised, along with training programmes for farmers on efficient water usage and system maintenance. The maintenance outcome was modelled as $Y<em>{it}=\beta</em>0+\beta<em>1X</em>{it}+u<em>i+\varepsilon</em>{it}$, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.