Thriving in Arid Africa: Water-Wise Techniques, Drought-Resistant Crops and Soil Innovative Approaches
Thriving in Arid Africa: Water-Wise Techniques, Drought-Resistant Crops and Soil Innovative Approaches for Agricultural Enhancement
Arid and semi-arid regions, covering a significant portion of the Earth’s land (about 41%), endure harsh conditions, including low rainfall, intense solar radiation, and high evapotranspiration rates. These areas are home to more than a third of all humans in the world, yet they face elevated risks due to climate change that influences and extensively burdens agricultural production. Arid and semi-arid farmers often experience food insecurity and low crop yields as traditional farming methods struggle to provide the necessary yields amidst harsh conditions. Scarce and variable rainfall, soil degradation, availability, and wind erosion, compound the issues of successful crop production and stable livelihoods[1].
In Africa, for instance, distinct agroecological zones shape the continent’s agricultural realities. For example, the Sahel Zone, bridging the Sahara and Sudanian Savanna, experiences harsh climatic fluctuations and irregular rainfall patterns. Characterized by grasslands and savannas interspersed with woodlands, this region heavily relies on agriculture as a predominant livelihood. However, limited arable land and a short and unpredictable rainy season pose challenges for sustained crop cultivation. Drought and environmental degradation remain persistent threats, exacerbating food insecurity and undermining local economies.
In contrast, the Guinea Savannah Zone covers vast territories from Senegal to Sudan and is characterized by a warm tropical climate and varying rainfall patterns, constituting a significant but underutilized resource in Africa. Despite its potential, climate change poses a looming threat by altering rainfall patterns, impacting agricultural activities in the region. Soil quality varies, ranging from nutrient-deficient sandy soils to low-fertility clay soils, requiring careful land use strategies[2].
Thus, farmers in these areas need to adopt diverse agronomic practices and innovative agricultural techniques to deal with climate change and the arid and semi-arid conditions initially present in their regions. This post delves into some sustainable farming solutions and gives an overview of such solutions to help raise awareness.
Efficient Water Management
Water scarcity in arid and semi-arid farming regions, marked by erratic rainfall and frequent droughts, creates challenges for communities heavily reliant on natural water sources. Crop yields suffer due to water stress (water shortage) during crucial growth stages, worsened by heat stress. Short and intense rainfall also leads to rapid flooding and soil erosion[3]. Thus, one of the primary concerns of farmers in arid regions is efficient water management. Farmers are adopting innovative climate-smart irrigation methods such as drip irrigation to ensure every water drop counts. Drip irrigation is a highly efficient system for delivering water and nutrients to crops. Through dripper lines and individual drippers, water, and fertilizers are directly applied to each plant’s root zone, ensuring optimal growth by providing the right amounts at the right times. This approach leads to increased yields while conserving water, energy, and resources. That makes it a preferred choice for farmers seeking effective and sustainable farming methods. Farmers in Africa are engaging in what is called Farmer-led Irrigation Development (FLID), where farmers, alone or as a collective, take the lead in establishing, improving, or expanding irrigated agriculture. Furthermore, rainwater harvesting systems represent collecting the run-off water from a structure or other water-resistant surface in order to store it for later use. Rainwater collection systems do not need to be complex. They can be as simple as collecting rain in a rain barrel, but they are also scalable and can be as elaborate as harvesting rainwater into large cisterns. This system has multiple benefits for farmers, such as clean and accessible water sources, control over supply, environmental responsibility, and self-sufficiency. Additionally, new technology is helping mainstream this system, with the UN Environment and UNESCO leading the way by developing a new smartphone app that calculates rainwater harvesting potential from roofs based on meteorological data from African weather stations, offering a practical solution to water scarcity and climate change adaptation.
Soil Use and Innovative Approaches
In arid and semi-arid regions, the surface of soils remains bare during the extended dry season, leading to moisture loss, soil particle disintegration, and vulnerability to erosion. Evaporation from bare soils also directly impacts crop yield in rain-fed agriculture[4]. Farmers in arid regions are embracing practices like mulching and cover cropping. Mulching, the process of covering the soil surface around the plants in order to create favorable conditions for crop growth, helps prevent water evaporation. In contrast, cover crops improve soil structure and nutrient content as plants are planted to cover the soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested. Mulching effectively controls weeds by hindering sunlight, conserves soil moisture by preventing water evaporation, reduces fertilizer costs by maintaining even nutrient distribution when combined with drip irrigation, and minimizes soil compaction and erosion through its protective layer. Cover cropping offers similar benefits by including living matter to prevent soil erosion and increase soil fertility and soil quality, retaining water through root systems, minimizing weeds, pests, and diseases, and increasing biodiversity and wildlife in an agroecosystem.
A yin and yang approach to the abovementioned innovative ways are aquaponics and hydroponics as soilless growing ways as ways to preserve soil health by moving the production away from it. Aquaponics is a dynamic and environmentally friendly food production strategy that combines hydroponic plant cultivation (growing plants without the use of soil) with aquaculture (fish farming). In a recent blog post titled “From Linear to Circular: Harnessing the Power of Food Innovations in African Aquaculture and Horticulture,” we covered the in-depth definition of what aquaponics are, gave an overview of different types of systems depend on location and resources, and provided a glimpse into what is the current status in Africa in terms of these technologies.
Drought-Resistant Crop Varieties
Traditional crop varieties often struggle to survive in arid conditions. However, developing and cultivating drought-resistant crop varieties are changing how agriculture is practiced in these areas. Scientists and farmers are collaborating to breed more adaptable crops to harsh environments. Sorghum, millet, and drought-resistant maize are examples of crops that can thrive in water-scarce regions, providing vital sustenance for communities. For example, a partnership between the IAEA and FAO has introduced two improved cowpea varieties in Zambia that promise higher yields and better quality, addressing protein needs. These varieties mature faster, demanding less water and exhibiting increased drought resistance. They outperform local types in terms of yield, disease resistance, and pest tolerance and have been developed through new techniques with enhanced agricultural outcomes. Additionally, Farm Africa is working with farming families in Kitui to help them build financial resilience to increasingly frequent droughts. They can earn a steady income by using drought-resilient and nutritious crops such as sorghum and green grams, training farmers in post-harvest handling techniques, and teaching them business skills.
As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, the importance of sustainable farming solutions for arid regions in Africa, and further, cannot be overstated. Through water-wise techniques, soil health preservation, and cultivating drought-resistant crop varieties, farmers can survive and thrive in challenging environments. Stay up-to-date with our insights into crop-region-specific techniques and approaches.
References:
[1] For more details on agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions, please see Golla B (2021) Agricultural production system in arid and semi-arid regions. J Agric Sc Food Technol 7(2): 234-244. DOI: 10.17352/2455-815X.000113
[2] For more details on African agricultural zones, please look into https://projectsportal.afdb.org/dataportal/VProject/show/P-Z1-A00-016?cur=usd
[3] For more information on water limitation influence, look into Golla B’s (2021) Agricultural production system in arid and semi-arid regions. J Agric Sc Food Technol 7(2): 234-244. DOI: 10.17352/2455-815X.000113
[4] For more information on soil issues in arid and semi-arid regions, please look into Golla B’s (2021) Agricultural production system in arid and semi-arid regions. J Agric Sc Food Technol 7(2): 234-244. DOI: 10.17352/2455-815X.000113
