Final Thoughts and Lessons Learnt!🙌

Introduction:

Firstly I want to say a huge thank you to those who have been engaging/commenting and thus helped my ideas develop throughout the term! As this blog series on water and food in Africa draws to a close, this post will reflect on the journey we've woven together through the tapestry that is water and food. Having started with the exploration of the complex interactions between water and food security to Windhoek and discussion on large/small irrigation systems, this blog series for me has been a fascinating period of learning and has developed my personal perspectives on Africa too. It has also inspired me to change one of my modules next term to "Postcolonial Geographies of African Development", I feel that I will be confidently able to write about Africa holistically now.

What I Have Learnt: Viewpoints

Seeing the richness and complexity of African water and food systems has been one of the biggest changes in my viewpoints. For example, the case study of Windhoek's MAR system showed the socio-political implications of water management such as conflict in addition to its technical and economic features. Comparing large and small-scale irrigation systems also revealed the complex discussions over how they affect local populations and food security. Perhaps I had thought about Geographical systems like irrigation prior to this project too 'flatly' as being one dimensional, forgetting there are many intricate layers that need to be picked apart. The lengthy video below takes this into further detail if you're interested (Figure 1):

                                     Figure 1: Africa Irrigation Project (Zambia)

What I Have Learnt: Personal Thought Development

My comprehension of the complex interrelationship between food and water in Africa has greatly expanded, perhaps having not studied Africa before in detail the stereotypical image of struggle and lack of water is what previously stuck with me. If anyone is still unsure about these stereotypes click through to the article cited just before and you will find a student turned 'stereotype influencer' who has amassed over 3 million followers debunking myths! Charityekezie (her username) takes a humorous but academic approach (Figure 2) utilising her social media presence to educate. Having received over 70 million positive impressions it would be fair to say she has been successful.

                        Figure 2: "Debunking African stereotypes with sarcasm."

My first perspectives were definitely moulded by certain preconceived conceptions of how Africa has been portrayed across several mediums such as TV/Film and writing. But reading and interacting with a variety of sources from academic studies to local viewpoints has expanded my knowledge and made me rethink some of these presumptions. This is a very useful transferable skill that is applicable across both disciplines.

The Irrigation Station☔️

Lets now shift our focus from MAR to another water based innovation. Initially irrigation stuck out as it's a vital part of worldwide agriculture, contributing to 40% of food produced worldwide, however in Africa this number is less than 6%, I wanted to explore more into why this number is so low.

In particular there is wide debate about selecting between large and small-scale irrigation systems. It's not just a technical issue in Africa, where water shortages and climatic fluctuation are common, but also a political and economic one. The dynamics of these systems, their effect on food security, and the consequences for nearby populations will be explored in this post!

Starting Small:

Small-scale irrigation systems, such treadle pumps, drip irrigation and small reservoirs, are usually run by local communities or individual farms. These systems can better adjust to the demands and conditions of the local area. For example, drip irrigation (Figure 1) is inexpensive to set up and operate, smallholder farmers such as in South Africa are able access them (Figure 2). For more detail on how they function watch the YouTube video below! (Figure 3)

                                 Figure 1: Close up of Drip Irrigation System

                           Figure 2: Practical Use of Small Scale Drip Irrigation

                                             Figure 3: Drip Irrigation Video

Small-scale systems do, however, also encounter difficulties. They frequently don't obtain the funding and support that large-scale initiatives do. Another concern is scalability; even though they work well locally, they might not have a big influence on food security nationally. Furthermore, farmers may be disproportionately affected by climatic variability in small-scale systems.

Going Bigger:

The goal of large-scale irrigation projects is to supply water to huge agricultural fields. These projects are frequently sponsored by governments or funded by foreign sources. These techniques, like massive canal networks or dam-based irrigation (Figure 4), have the potential to greatly increase food output. In addition to extending growing seasons and sustaining a range of crops, they can stabilise yields and promote economic growth and food security.

               Figure 4: "EGYPT: Lining irrigation canals to save 5 billion m³ of water"

Large-scale systems do present certain difficulties, though. They need a significant infrastructural and financial investment (e.g. Figure 4 costing $3.8 million). Additionally, there's the chance of environmental deterioration, which might include local ecosystem disturbance, salinization of soils, and water logging. These projects may become politically divisive, particularly if they uproot communities or modify customary water rights.

Impacts:

The decision between large- and small-scale irrigation systems has a significant impact on local populations' and food security. Even though they may have a greater output impact, large-scale projects need to be properly managed to prevent socio-environmental hazards. Small-scale systems that encourage local adaptation and autonomy must be supported and acknowledged for their contribution to the improving rural livelihoods.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, size, economics, and community demands interact complexly in African irrigation politics. In the context of agriculture, both large- and small-scale systems have a role, but the success of both requires meticulous planning, fair resource allocation, and environmental sustainability. Developing efficient and sustainable food production techniques requires a grasp of these processes, which will become increasingly apparent as we investigate agricultural practices in Africa.