African Petroleum Engineering | 12 November 2004
Designing Affordable Irrigation Solutions for Drought-Prone Mali Terrains
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Abstract
Irrigation is crucial for sustainable agriculture in Mali's arid regions, where water scarcity exacerbates food insecurity and economic challenges. A mixed-method approach combining field surveys, hydrological modelling, and stakeholder consultations was used to identify suitable technologies and assess their potential impact. Field trials indicated an average reduction of 30% in water usage with the proposed low-cost irrigation systems compared to conventional methods, highlighting cost-effectiveness without compromising yield. The designed solutions show promise for enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience in Mali's challenging environments, while remaining financially accessible to small-scale farmers. Implementing these technologies requires supportive policies that incentivize investment in irrigation infrastructure. Funding mechanisms should be established to ensure equitable access among rural communities. 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.