Low-Cost Irrigation Systems Design in Drought-Prone Mali Terrains: A Comparative Study

Drought-prone areas in Mali require innovative low-cost irrigation systems to ensure agricultural productivity and food security. Field surveys were conducted using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map terrain features. A comparative analysis of system performance metrics was performed using a linear regression model with robust standard errors. In the Sahel region, systems utilising contour drip irrigation showed an average water efficiency improvement of 20% compared to traditional furrow irrigation methods. The study highlights the effectiveness of locally adapted low-cost irrigation designs in improving agricultural productivity and resilience against drought conditions. Recommendation for policymakers is to implement a phased approach with pilot projects before nationwide adoption. Irrigation design, Low-cost systems, Drought-resistant agriculture, Linear regression model The maintenance outcome was modelled as $Y_{it}=\beta_0+\beta_1X_{it}+u_i+\varepsilon_{it}$, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.